Beschreibung:

DICKENS, CHARLES. [Christmas Books], London, 1843-1848. 5 vols., 12mo, original cloth gilt, g.e., maroon morocco pull-off case, FIRST EDITIONS. Comprising: A Christmas Carol, Chapman & Hall 1843, brown-salmon cloth, pale green endpapers , FIRST ISSUE, Smith's Second State, imperfect signature letter "C" at foot of p. 17, Todd's First Impression, First Issue, hand-colored engravings and illustrations in the text by John Leech contemporary ownership inscription dated "Jan. 13th. 1844" on front free endpaper, A FINE COPY; The Chimes, Chapman and Hall 1845, red cloth, inner hinges skilfully tightened, slight skilfull repair near top of spine, First State of the engraved title, plain plates, an 1845 gift inscription on front free endpaper; The Cricket on the Hearth, Bradbury and Evans 1846, [i.e. December 1845], red cloth, slight abrasion on front cover , Smith's Second State of advertisement leaf at end, plain plates, same owner's name on front free endpaper as in A Christmas Carol ; The Battle of Life, Bradbury & Evans 1846, red cloth , Smith's Third State of the engraved title (Todd C2, Eckel 2), plain illustrations; The Haunted Man, Bradbury & Evans 1848, red cloth , plain plates. Eckel, pp. 110-125; Smith vol. 2, nos. 4-6, 8-9. A FINE, VERY BRIGHT COMPLETE SET OF THE CHRISTMAS BOOKS. Provenance (not noted above): Estelle Doheny (sale, Christie's, Camarillo, 1 February 1988, lot 511). (5)