Preface dated London, 1850.

Published in 92 parts. Parts are paged continuously; each consists of eight pages, except the last, which has four.

First published in 18 weekly installments by Edward Lloyd in The people's periodical and family library, issues 7-24 (21 Nov. 1846 to 20 Mar. 1847); in a greatly expanded version as a penny-part serial in 92 parts (the first four parts issued together) from about 1847-1848; then as a single volume in 1850. The title of the first number ("The string of pearls, or, A sailor's gift : a romance of pecular interest") was revised to "The string of pearls, or, The barber of Fleet Street : a domestic romance" in the course of publication, and a new preface was added.

Written by James Malcolm Rymer; cf. Smith, H.R. New light on Sweeney Tood (2002), cited in Mack. Previously attributed to G.A. Macfarren and Thomas P. Prest; also to Edward P. Hingston and to Albert Richard Smith.

Illustrated with 89 unsigned wood engravings, one on the first page of each part, except for nos. 1-4, the only numbers issued together, which have only one engraving. Some illustrations are by J. Reading; cf. Mack.

Publisher's advertisements printed vertically in the inner margins of individual numbers.

Text printed within double fillet border.

RBC copy: Binding: Contemporary vertically ribbed green cloth; spine lettered and ruled in gilt; housed in green half morocco slipcase and chemise. Page 449 misnumbered "9".

Mack, R.L., ed. Wonderful and surprising history of Sweeney Todd, p. 142-147, 342-343.

James, E. & Smith, H.R. Penny dreadfuls and boys' adventures, 510.

Summers, M. Gothic bibliography, p. 517, 519.