This is an 1843 first edition, second state (having “Stave One” vs “Stave I” on the first chapter heading) of the most famous Christmas book of all time - Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, along with first editions of Dickens’ other four Christmas books. Only 6,000 copies of A Christmas Carol were printed as first editions and on sale in bookstores in London by Dec. 19, 1843. Before the end of 1843, the second and third editions (marked as such on the title page), had already been printed and sold.

A list of 1st edition points for A Christmas Carol and a sampling of some of those comprise the last 6 or so photos…please see those for verification of the edition/state.

All 5 of these Christmas books are first editions. The different states/printings are as follows:

-A Christmas Carol - 1/2 (1st Ed./2nd State)

-The Chimes - 1/2 (1st. Ed. /2nd State)

-The Cricket on the Hearth - 1/2 (1st Ed./2nd State)

-The Battle of Life - 1/3 (1st Ed./3rd State)

-The Haunted Man - 1/1 (1st. Ed./1st State-it appears there was only one printing of the first edition).

These five Christmas books by Dickens have been rebound in red leather that has been reinforced at the spine on each at some point in their life. The rebinding is a 19th century rebinding which was common for those who did not like their books in cloth bindings. All 5 books have the original cloth front and rear covers as well as spine bound in at the end of each book (see photos). Each volume has been gilt in gold on top, side, and bottom of all pages (A Christmas Carol was originally only gilt on the top). The bindings are tight although as shown in the photos, the first illustration in A Christmas Carol is coming loose and could use some conservation efforts by a book conservator. The leather on the spine of these books (due to age), has some chips…in fact, for both the Carol and The Haunted Man, the dates are missing in part or full.

Please see photos to judge the condition yourself. I am happy to send other photos upon request through eBay.

This is a rare chance to get not only a first edition of A Christmas Carol, but first editions of all of Dickens’ Christmas books in a matching, contemporary leather binding!