A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens, Arthur Rackham

Published by William Heinemann, J. B. Lippincott, London & Philidelphia, 1915

Limited edition number 336 of 550 copies, signed by the illustrator Arthur Rackham, number 322 of 500 copies for sale, another 25 for presentation. Bound in full Vellum with gilt titling and decorations to spine and front board. Minor curl to board edges. The 12 colour plates are all present in good order free of foxing, flush with the gray cartridge paper backing and with tissue guards intact. The many b&w woodcut style illustrations are in good order also. The binding is sound and tight, with negligible wear to boards. The spine panel has gilt holly motifs which are still reasonably bright with a little even rubbing here and there. The front panel has bell and devil motifs below the title which are still able to catch a gleam despite some dulling of the fine embossed detail. The vellum has a couple of 3-5mm rust spots, otherwise with general light spotting and fingermarks. The rear panel has minor rubbing showing as dusky light marks on the high spots. One 3mm corner bump to top front fore-edge, the other corners are crisp and free of wear. The pastedowns have moderte foxing freckles, the paper inside is clean and free of foxing. Pages 42./43 have a strong tanned offsetting strip where an old bookmark, or possible the silk place-marker must have lain for many years, acidifying the paper. The silk place-marker and silk bow tieing the front boards together are now missing. The last but one page has a 5cm light damp-stain along the top edge with a tanned edge border, not too detracting and no wrinkling thereby. In one other place the paper has a 1-cm folded flap close in to the gutter and 4cm long, as it runs right into the binding it appears to be a binding flaw. Could be teasened out but we'll leave it as is. The rough-cut edges have the odd nick, and several of the page pairs remain uncut! Top edge gilt. Overall an excellent copy in very collectible condition. 147pp. Size: Folio. Seller Inventory # L23336

Bibliographic Details

Title: A Christmas Carol
Publisher: William Heinemann, J. B. Lippincott, London & Philidelphia
Publication Date: 1915
Binding: Full-Vellum
Illustrator: Arthur Rackham
Condition: Very Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No dj
Signed: Signed by Author
Edition: First Thus Edition.