Lot 332
[Dickens, Charles]. A Set of 1st edition Christmas books (London, 1843-1848). 5 vols. 1st editions of A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, The Cricket on the Hearth, The Battle of Life, and The Haunted Man. Full red morocco, one small chip repaired, joints strengthened, otherwise a good set. The original cloth is bound in at the end of each book. The Carol has the correct title page but "Stave One" heads the first chapter, whereas "Stave I" is earlier but the entire 1st printing was only 6,000 copies and this was one of them. The Chimes and Cricket seem straightforward 1st editions. Battle has the 4th state title page (the first 3 are scarce). Haunted Man is the 1st edition with no complications, but none of this addresses the details of Smith's inquiry into type wear and spacing idiosyncrasies.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
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| Realized $1,475 |
