Books

Chicago: The Monastery Hill Press, 1940. First thus. Fine. A Fine copy of this handsome production of Dickens' Christmas classic. Bound in full red morocco, ruled in gilt and with gilt holly sprigs in the corners. Inlaid morocco of a dancing Mr. Fezziwig on the front cover. Top edge gilt. Illustrated by Philip Reed. Book appears unread and unused. Housed in the publisher's red paper slipcase. Dickens' most beloved Christmas story of Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption after being visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. 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). Fine.

A Christmas Carol is a novella by English author Charles Dickens. It was first published by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy, greedy, and cold-hearted old miser who is transformed into a kind, generous man after visits by the ghost of his former business partner and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come.

One indication of the first edition of 'A Christmas Carol' is the presence of red and blue title page, a red cloth binding, and yellow endpapers. Additionally, on the verso of the title page, it should be dated 1843 and state 'London: Published for the Author by Chapman & Hall, 186 Strand.'