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BOOK DESCRIPTIONS

The CHARLES DICKENS FIRST PRINTING LOT consists of two First State Printings: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, 1843, and THE CHIMES, 1845:

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens. First Edition, First State Printing, 1843. Published by Chapman and Hall, London. 166 pp. [2 ads end of book]. Small Octavo [8]. There is no indication of later edition printed on the title page. Later Editions state "second edition" or "third edition" on the title page beneath the tree. This is the true first edition with the original green endpapers and all the First Issue points present. Covers decoratively stamped in blind, front cover and spine decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt; all edges gilt. Binding matches Todd’s first impression, first issue, with closest interval between blindstamped border and gilt wreath equal to 14 mm. All four steel-engraved color plates are by John Leech and are vibrant in color. The 4 black and white wood-engraved illustrations by W. J. Linton are present. This First Issue also has 'Stave I' on page 1 with the uncorrected text and the 1843 date printed on the title page. The title page is printed in blue and red ink. The front board has the perfect 'D' within 'Dickens'. This copy is bound in the original publisher's brown Cloth.

THE CHIMES

THE CHIMES by Charles Dickens. First Edition, First State Printing, 1845. Published by Chapman and Hall, London. Has initial ad for the tenth edition of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 16mo. Measures 6 1/2" by 4". In original decorated red, horizontal-ribbed cloth-covered boards with gilt text on the spine and gilt text and decorations on the front board and with all edges of the text block gilt.

CONDITION OF THE BOOKS

   A CHRISTMAS CAROL has some discoloration and a presentation note from a previous owner on the front endpapers as well as a quarter-inch chip at the top of the spine. There is some wear at the bottom of spine and a small rip in the spine in the middle of the book which does not affect the binding. Overall, this extremely rare work is Good+/Fine.

   THE CHIMES has no tears, dampstains, writing or other  defects of this type. The rear blank endpage has a split in the spine paper only not affecting the binding. The bottom of the spine has some darkening. The book also has what appear to be small ink dots at the bottom of the page on several of the first  few pages only. Overall, this book is Fine/Fine.