A single bound volume containing two works; the titles are given as -- Sketches by "Boz" and "Tale of Two Cities" on the front cover and spine, by Charles Dickens. Potentially originally two separate publications rebound as one, but may have been originally published as such, Each "Book" in the volume is numbered separately with their own title pages and frontispieces.
Bound into one crown octavo volume in dark green cloth with decorative black stamping on the front cover and with black and gilt decorative stamping on the spine. Also with decorative golden floral end-papers Both title pages indicate they were published circa ~1885 by George Routledge & Sons with publication addresses of 9 Lafayette Place, New York. No London address is given; indicating an American only publication.
The first half is "Sketches by "Boz," Illustrative of Every-day Life and Every-day People"; a collection of short pieces Charles Dickens originally published in various newspapers and other periodicals between 1833 and 1836. They were re-issued in book form, under their current title, originally in1836. The frontispiece is an illustration by George Cruikshank.
The second half is "A Tale of Two Cities"; a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in the Bastille in Paris, and his release to live in London with his daughter Lucie whom he had never met. The story is set against the conditions that led up to the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror.. The "frontispiece", in this case located in the middle of the volume but preceding the text for "Tale of Two Cities" due to the books dual nature, is another illustration by George Cruikshank.
The book is in fair to good overall condition; see photos:
- Edge-wear; with some denting at 3 of the 4 the outside corners of the front and rear covers.
- Spine-wear; though spine still feels firmly attached to the covers.
- Soiling; minor soiling on the front and rear covers as well as the spine.
- Separated Page; A single page, the title page for "Sketches by Boz", has torn from the binding - but is still with the book
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Additionally, the book has been inscribed with the name and home village by it's former owner on the observe of the page containing the frontispiece for "Sketches by Boz". The name is given as William M. Hamilton of River Charlo, New Brunswick, Canada. With some research I was able to trace the wedding and death certificates for him in order to learn about the life of our former owner.
Born April 13th 1854 in New Brunswick William was the son of Alexander Hamilton and Isabella Hamilton, nee McMillen, who were originally from the Island of Arran, Scotland. Living in Charlo his whole life as a farmer he married Christina McLean in March 20th 1895 before passing away October 29th 1923 at the age 69 of Stomach Cancer.