DICKENS (CHARLES) Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi. Edited by BOZ, 2 vol., FIRST EDITION, Richard Bentley, 1838DICKENS (CHARLES)Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi. Edited by "BOZ", 2 vol., FIRST EDITION, issue without border to final plate ("The Last Song") in volume 2, with correct page numeral 182 on list of plates in volume 1, and 36pp. publisher's catalogue at end, half-titles, engraved portrait after J. Raven, 12 etched plates by George Cruikshank, spotting, publisher's dark maroon cloth, blind-stamped decoration with central arabesque on sides, gilt pictorial spines, yellow endpapers, very slightly rubbed at spine ends and corners, preserved in fleece-lined cloth solander boxes (edges worn) [Eckel, pp.152-155; cf. Gimbel B64], 8vo, Richard Bentley, 1838The Memoirs of the celebrated clown Joe Grimaldi were originally edited by Thomas Egerton Wilks, prior to being sold to the publisher Richard Bentley, who commissioned Dickens to re-edit them, adding his own introductory and concluding chapters. Dickens was perhaps drawn to the task having himself seen Grimaldi perform when he was a boy of seven or eight.Provenance: Oliver Brett, 3rd Viscount Esher, bookplate; Sotheby's, 8 July 2004, lot 108.