A Christmas Carol
London: Chapman & Hall, 1843.
First edition, first printing. "Stave I" on page [1] and every single textual point uncorrected as per Calhoun and Heaney. Todd's first impression, first issue with 15mm between wreath and left blindstamping, unbroken "D." Title page printed in preferred red and blue, dated 1843 in Roman numerals; half title and verso of title page printed in blue. Smith II.4. [viii], 166, [2] pp. with hand-colored steel engraved frontispiece and three steel engraved plates within text. Bound in publisher's brown ribbed cloth with elaborate gilt and blind stamping, all edges gilt, variant green endpapers. Near Fine with crisp stamping, hint of toning to spine, hairline crack in front gutter but binding sturdy, a few light spots of foxing to text at front, typical offsetting to endpapers. Bright internally. Tissue guards present. Housed in a custom chemise. An excellent copy of the classic Christmas story, rare in the original cloth. Written by Dickens during a period when the British were exploring and re-evaluating past Christmas traditions, including carols, and newer customs such as Christmas cards and Christmas trees. He was influenced by the experiences of his own youth and by the Christmas stories of other authors including Washington Irving. The novella captured the zeitgeist of the mid-Victorian revival of the Christmas holiday. Dickens acknowledged the influence of the modern Western observance of Christmas, and in turn, his novella would go on to later influence several aspects of Christmas traditions, including family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, dancing, games and a festive generosity of spirit.
Price: $60,000.00