This listing is for "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, dated 1843. 1st edition, thus. This is an original eighteenth century printing by Chapman and Hall, bound by Riviere and Son. Not to be compared with the original cloth bound editions, this was a separate run by the the two companies using Chapman's first state plates with "Stave I" error, etc., and beautiful fine binding by Riviere. I've only seen two other examples offered in the last many years. The book measures 4.25 x 6.5 inches and contains 166 pages plus two pages of advertisements at the end. Construction is in-board leather binding with raised ribs, gilt page edges, and fancy gilt cover designs. The front cover depicts Dicken's signature, a feature often imitated in later publishings. The book is from a private collection, in excellent condition overall with light shelf wear. Appears never to have been read. Hinges are starting at the ends from age, though still secure. There are a couple of rubs on the spine and a light blemish. The labels appear to have been replaced at some point. Pages are pristine and binding is tight. The tissue after the frontispiece is still present. A rare gem of a book! On consignment from a lifelong Christmas collector.
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