Books

London - New York: William Heinemann Ltd. - Doubleday, Page & Co., 1915. Beautifully signed and numbered at limitation page by Arthur Rackham: "This Edition is limited to five hundred and twenty-five copies, of which five hundred, numbered 1-500, are for Great Britain, Ireland and Colonies; and twenty-five, numbered 501-525, are for presentation. This is No. '363, Arthur Rackham.'" Very attractive signature and numbering in what appears to be variety of fountain pen. Publisher and year at copyright: "London: William Heinemann, 1915." Large 9 1/4" x 11 1/2" design. Cream vellum (leather) boards, gilt impressed cover design and titles, moderate shelf wear, rub, discoloration; some bow which is common with these limited editions in vellum. Cover depicts whimsical mischievous elves hanging from bells among titles and decoration; gilt spine titles and holly vignette with Heinemann at heel. Illustrated endpapers of the greedy Scrooge and ebullient transformed character.…

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.'