Beschreibung:

DICKENS, CHARLES A complete set of the five Christmas books by Dickens. A Christmas carol, in prose, being a ghost story of Christmas. With illustrations by John Leech London: Chapman & Hall, 1843. First edition, first published issue (preceded by the very rare trial issue), in the first issue binding. Original publisher's cinammon-colored cloth, vertically-waved, with stamping in gold and blind. The endpapers are hand-painted green. These are the same used in the trial issue, rejected because of expense. Some found their way into the first published issue. 6 3/8 inches (16 cm), all edges gilt as issued. [8], 166, [2] pp. Frontispiece and three hand-colored plates plus four wood engravings, all by Leech. Some rubbing and soiling of covers, head and toe of spine slightly chipped, one corner bumped; separation (with slight loss of cloth) on one section of the rear joint. Within, endpapers cracked at hinge, occasional soiling, withal still a good copy. Name in ink of Amelise Marion Burney on half-title. * The Chimes. A goblin story or some bells that rang an old year out and a new year in. London: Chapman & Hall, 1845. First edition, first issue (with the imprint integral to the engraved title). Publisher's red cloth in gilt and blind. Same dimensions, all edges gilt as issued. [8], 175, [1] pp.; the first page is the ad for the Christmas Carol. Some rubbing and wear, chip to head of spine, generally clean internally. * The cricket on the hearth. A fairy tale of home. London: printed and published for the author by Bradbury and Evans, 1846. First edition, first (and only) issue. Same dimensions, all edges gilt as issued. [8], 174, [2] pp., complete with half-title and ads. Some wear to head and toe of spine, one corner bumped, internally clean. * The battle of life. A love story. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1846. First edition, Eckel's fourth issue. Same dimensions, all edges gilt as issued. [8], [1-2, sectional title], 3-175 [colophon on verso of last page], ad leaf. The illustrations (by Doyle, Leech, Maclise et al) are intertextual. Light wear, corners a bit bumped, generally a bright copy, with the Leighton bookplate. * The haunted man and the ghost's bargain. A fancy for Christmas-time. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1848. First edition, first (and only) issue. Same dimensions, all edges gilt as issued. [8], 188 pp, intertextually illustrated. Slight split to foot of front joint, small chip to rear. With the Charlotte Leighton bookplate. The Christmas Carol has all first issue textual points, as well as the first-issue binding. The "D" of "Dickens" is unbroken, and the gilt wreath on the upper cover is centered, with margins of 14 mm or so between the wreath and the surrounding blind tooling. The half-title is in blue and the title in blue and red, as called for. The "Stave I" reading is present. The other works are all (with the exception of The battle of life) in first issue. Despite the various defects noted, still a pleasant, unsophisticated set, housed in an old slipcase.