Most of Dickens's works were first published in separately issued monthly parts; a few made their debuts in periodicals, including Dickens's own journals, in weekly or monthly installments. Separate hardbound editions then followed, although there are exceptions (the three-volume edition of Oliver Twist was issued before the final installments of the novel had appeared in Bentley's Miscellany). In this seminar, when two dates for a work are given--for example, Bleak House (1852-53; 1853)--the first date is that of its publication in parts (and/or of its periodical run), and the second that of the first book edition published in England. When only a single date is given--for example, A Tale of Two Cities (1859)--the year of the work's serial publication and of its first book edition is the same.

Some additional notes: The "sketches" by "Boz" were first published in various periodicals, beginning with "A Dinner at Poplar Walk," which appeared in the December 1833 issue of the Monthly Magazine; collected editions of the Sketches by Boz, first and second series, were both first issued in 1836. The five Christmas Books, beginning with A Christmas Carol (1843), were each first issued as little, individual volumes.