Condition: Fair
Condition Details: This 1846 first edition is in poor structural condition and best suited to restoration or reference use. The text block is completely detached from the cloth covers, the spine cloth is split and loose with the sewing structure fully exposed, and the original red cloth covers - while present and still showing visible gilt decoration on the front - are entirely unattached from the pages. Interior pages show only minimal foxing and spotting, and there is an early owner's signature on the preliminary blank page. Sold as a candidate for professional rebinding or as a reference copy for collectors.

The Cricket on the Hearth: A Fairy Tale of Home by Charles Dickens, published in London by Bradbury and Evans, 1846. This is a true first edition, second state, notable for including the scarce two-line italicised Oliver Twist advertisement on the final leaf.

The book features illustrated plates and decorative gilt work to the front cover depicting a hearth scene, with the title lettered in gilt. An early owner's signature appears on one of the preliminary blank pages, along with initials on the facing leaf, and a bookseller's label from J. Allen & Son of Birmingham is present inside the front cover.

The text block has separated entirely from the binding, and the spine cloth is split with the sewing structure exposed. The covers remain present as a separate piece, retaining visible gilt decoration despite wear to the corners and spine ends. This copy is offered as a project for rebinding or as a study copy for collectors of Dickens first editions.

Although we do our best to make sure that the colours displayed on our listing are accurate, the actual colours may vary.


Please contact us with any questions.

All proceeds from this sale will be used by Age UK Coventry & Warwickshire which is a local, independent charity working in the community to support older people, their families and carers across the Coventry & Warwickshire area. We want everyone to be able to love later life.

We aim to dispatch within 2 working days. We hope you will be entirely delighted with your purchase. If you encounter any issues please do not hesitate to contact us.