Books in Parts, Extra-Illustrated Books, and Fore-Edge Paintings.
In the library's vault we have a Book in Parts, which is a collection of serialized installments of a novel. Charles Dickens was famous for this form of publication, first publishing the parts in a magazine, and then having all of the parts printed as a whole book.
The most famous Extra-Illustrated book is probably The Story of Nell Gwyn, who was a 17th century actress and a famous mistress of King Charles II of England. Extra-Illustration is the practice of adding extra illustrations, autographs, prints, etc.
A fore-edge painting is a scene painted on the edges of book pages
Click on the book image to see the text of the book.
The original 19 monthly parts in wrappers, issued from December 1855 through 1857. Each installment features two illustrations by Hablot Knight Browne, a.k.a. "Phiz," for a total of 40 steel-engraved plates, including an illustrated title page for the set. Volume XVI includes the tipped-in errata slip regarding the confusion between Rigaud and Blandois, marking the first state. Extensive advertising material, including the "Little Dorrit Advertiser," is present at the front and back of each part. (background information from Philadelphia Rare Books and Manuscripts).
