Books

First edition in book form, in the first issue binding with the price in gilt on the spine which was removed in later issues. Hard Times was the shortest, but also arguably the most political, of Dickens's novels, as well as being the only novel set entirely outside of London. The novel was originally issued in 20 weekly parts from April to August 1854. This copy has the later states of pages 122, 231, and 265, with Smith's textual errors corrected; sheets with the varying states were bound at random and the points do not have bearing on priority of issue. Octavo. Original green cloth, spine lettered in gilt, spine and covers decoratively blocked in blind. Contemporary bookseller's ticket of Henry Greer, Belfast, to front pastedown. Spine and board edges faded to brown, spine ends gently bumped with a couple of tiny chips, a touch of rubbing to corners, inner hinges superficially split, but firm, edges a little foxed, contents generally clean. A very good copy. Smith I, 11.

Charles Dickens' 'Hard Times' is a critical examination of Victorian industrial society and its impact on human life, depicting harsh realities of the era.