Books

First edition in book form, in the first issue binding. 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. The first issue binding has the spine priced in gilt, removed in later issues. Octavo. Original green cloth, spine lettered in gilt, spine and covers decoratively blocked in blind, yellow coated endpapers. Housed in a custom green cloth slipcase. Contemporary ownership inscription to front free endpaper of one Mary A. Blackburn, dated December 1854; recent bookplate of Peter Russell to interior of slipcase. Very light sunning to spine and extremities, else a fine 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.