A Christmas Carol

5b, 10th 1844 edition by Charles Dicken's 

Description

A Christmas Carol (1843) by Charles Dickens is a timeless novella that tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who despises Christmas and human kindness. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, and three spirits—the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come—who guide him through visions that reveal the consequences of his greed and isolation. Awakened to compassion and generosity, Scrooge transforms into a warm-hearted man, embodying the true spirit of Christmas.

The first edition of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was published on December 19, 1843, by Chapman & Hall in London. Remarkably, Dickens financed the publication himself to ensure it was a high-quality yet affordable book. This first edition featured a red cloth binding, gilt-edged pages, and was adorned with four hand-colored steel engravings and four black-and-white woodcuts by illustrator John Leech. The hand-colored illustrations, particularly notable for their vibrant detail, contributed to the book’s festive and luxurious appeal. Despite its elaborate production, Dickens kept the price at five shillings to make it accessible to a wide audience, and the first print run of 6,000 copies sold out by Christmas Eve.

Notes

Red cloth, rebacked lettered and decordated in gilt to the spine and upper cover, also decorated in blind. Very fine copy