Dickens, Charles
£3,000
Rare Books, Maps & Manuscripts
Auction: Rare Books, Maps & Manuscripts
Description
A Christmas carol. London: Chapman and Hall, 1843. First edition, first issue with "Stave I" on page 1, interval of 14mm between blind-stamped border and extremity of gilt wreath on upper panel, the "D" of Dickens within the wreath unbroken, green endpapers, two page advertisement for the Works of Mr. Charles Dickens present at the end, and title printed in red and blue, 4 hand-coloured etched plates by John Leech, original pink-brown vertically-ribbed cloth, decorative holly and ivy border stamped in blind on panels, central gilt-stamped cartouche on the upper panel, all edges gilt, within red half morocco box, "Last of the Spirits" plate worn at fore and lower edge with slight loss of margin, some finger-soiling and light spotting, head of spine chipped, covers a bit stained, wrinkles to upper cover, neat early inscription "Emily Anna Michael from James, Christmas 1843" on half-title
Footnote
Note: A first edition, first issue, of Dickens's evocation of "The Christmas Spirit". Professor William B. Todd established that the brass used to stamp the gilt wreath on the upper panel shifted slightly to the left and devoloped in imperfection in the letter "D" of "Dickens", which is apparent in later issues. Dickens rejected the yellow endpapers and red and green title page of the proof copies he had receieved, in preference for green endpapers and a red and blue titlepage. Green endpapers were however discontinued as they had a chalky surface which needed to be specially prepared and added to the cost. All the first three issues had the same typographical errors which were not corrected until the second edition, published the same month.