A Christmas Carol

London: Chapman and Hall, 1843.

(Item #945) A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens.

A Christmas Carol

London: Chapman and Hall, 1843. First edition. An about Fine copy of the first issue and exceptionally rare in this condition. Light reddish-brown, vertically-ribbed cloth with gilt and blindstamping on the boards, all page edges gilt. Correct, 14-15 mm measurement from the gilt wreath to the blindstamping on the front board and the "D" in Dickens perfect, indicating a first issue copy (Todd). All text in its uncorrected state (Smith II.4). Additionally, this copy with light green, chalky endpapers; half-title printed in blue; title page printed in red and blue and dated 1843; and with "Stave I" in Roman type. Some first issue copies were offered with variant endpapers or title pages, but all first issue copies were offered with uniform stamping, later issues had the stamping shift a few millimeters to the left (Todd).

About Fine with the spine skewed and a trifle faded, as usual, a previous owner's inscription on the end paper and a few small ink blots on the rear board. Cloth still retains its sheen, gilt bright and fresh, no tears or chips to the spine ends, endpapers intact, tissue-guards facing the three hand-colored plates in the text, text pages fresh, clean and unfoxed.

Dickens' most beloved Christmas story of Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption after being visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. Scrooge is made to see the dangers and consequences of his miserly ways and awakens the following morning infused with the spirit of Christmas giving. “A tale to make the reader laugh and cry – to open his hands, and open his heart to charity even toward the uncharitable ... a dainty dish to set before a King.” (Contemporary review in London’s Athenaeum magazine)
about Fine (Item #945)

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