The Christmas Books: including the first issue of A Christmas Carol

London: Chapman and Hall and Bradbury and Evans, 1848. First editions. Near Fine. Five volumes, bound in full crushed burgundy morocco by Riviere and Sons. Raised bands, spines titled and stamped in gilt, all edges gilt, plain blue end papers, with ornate gilt turn-ins. Original cloth front covers and spines bound in at the end. A very handsome, Near Fine set with just surface wear to some of the joints, no splitting to the leather. A Christmas Carol is first issue with “Stave I” and the text uncorrected, blue font on the half-title and red and blue font on the title. Complete with the four inserted hand-colored steel engraved plates.

The (truncated) Chimes with the vignette title page in the second state. The Cricket on the Hearth with the first state of the advertisement for Oliver Twist. The Battle of Life with the vignette title page in the fourth state. The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain is a first edition with the typical points as outlined in Smith.

A beautiful collection of Dickens' holiday narratives -- and an opportunity to read those lesser known stories as well as the much-beloved A Christmas Carol. Arguably one of the author's most famous works, the story of Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption after being visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve has become a worldwide classic in literature, film, and television. Scrooge is made to see the dangers and consequences of his miserly ways and awakens the following morning infused with the spirit of Christmas giving. “A tale to make the reader laugh and cry – to open his hands, and open his heart to charity even toward the uncharitable ... a dainty dish to set before a King.” (Contemporary review in London’s Athenaeum magazine). Near Fine. (Inventory #: 6933)