Lot Details

Description

Dickens Charles (1812-1870). A Christmas Carol in Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas. With Illustrations by John Leech. London, Chapman & Hall, 186, Strand. 1843.

First Edition (1843)
First issue binding (first impression according to William B. Todd)
Mixed / partially corrected text

First edition, with “Stave I” heading to the first chapter and text apparently in an intermediate state, with all pages up to p. 16 uncorrected and thereafter corrected as per Calhoun and Heaney; half-title in blue, title printed in red and blue; 4 hand-coloured engraved plates by and after John Leech and 4 plain woodcut vignettes by William James Linton after Leech; 2 pages of advertisements at the end. Occasional very light spotting; neat repairs to the hinges; green endpapers; original first issue brown fine-ribbed cloth, with unbroken “D” within a wreath and a minimum 14 mm gap between the blind border and the gilt cartouche; spine lettered and decorated in gilt; all edges gilt; slight sunning to the spine, minor chipping and tiny losses at the head of the spine, but overall a crisp copy; housed in a modern slipcase; [Eckel pp. 110–115; Smith II, 4].

A Christmas Carol was conceived in 1843, in the midst of the Victorian era. Charles Dickens was deeply affected by the social conditions of industrial England: widespread poverty, child labor exploitation, and stark inequality. The inspiration also came after a visit to schools for poor children and from his growing concern about urban misery. Dickens aimed to write a work that would raise awareness while remaining accessible and engaging: a short but powerful Christmas story. He wrote the tale very quickly, between October and November 1843. Although already a well-known author, he was facing financial difficulties, so the book needed to succeed commercially. He therefore chose a short narrative (a Christmas ghost story), an emotional and direct style, and memorable characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge. The result was a blend of moral tale, social critique, and Christmas spirit. The book was an immediate success, and the first print run sold out within a few days.

Dimensions

8° (6,46x3,78in)

Provenience

Private collection

Condition

Slight sunning to the spine, minor chipping and tiny losses at the head of the spine, but overall a crisp copy.

Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers must understand that any statement made by Coradi Rare Finds is merely a subjective opinion.

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