Beschreibung:

FINE BINDING-COSWAY] DICKENS, CHARLES. Set of first editions of Dickens's five Christmas stories in fine Cosway bindings . London: Chapman and Hall, 1843-1848. First editions, issues as stated below. Five volumes, full matching dark olive levant morocco by Rivière after designs by J. H. Stonehouse, the title of the volume in gilt on an inlaid maroon morocco banner at the head of the front cover, and "Lord Keep my Memory Green" in a similar banner at the foot, each volume with a glazed oval inset Cosway-style miniature of Dickens (at various ages, from volume to volume) by C.B. Currie surrounded by gilt holly leaves, spines in six compartments with holly leaf motifs, lettered in the second and third, broad dentelles, the rear with Miss Currie's stamp at lower center, olive moire silk endsheets, all edges gilt. Bindings 6 7/8 x 4 1/4 inches (17 x 10 cm); various paginations illustrated throughout. Minute wear to bindings, some minor toning. The works comprise the following: A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas. London: Chapman and Hall, 1843. The first edition, first issue, second state, title page printed in red and blue with wood-engraved holly vignette, half-title printed in blue, "Stave I" reading and uncorrected text. Handcolored etched frontispiece and 3 handcolored etched plates after and by John Leech 4 wood-engraved text illustrations after Leech, integral final leaf of publisher's advertisements, publisher's brown cloth preserved at the rear with the original green endpapers. Bound in at front is a fine two-page letter by Dickens (folded to accommodate) dated August 3, 1842, discussing the piracy of some of his work in a newspaper. The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In. London: Chapman and Hall, 1845. First edition, second state of the title page. Additional pictorial wood-engraved title page and frontispiece after Daniel Maclise by F. P. Becker, 11 wood-engraved text vignettes after Leech, Richard Doyle and Clarkson Stanfield integral preliminary advertisement leaf for the tenth edition of A Christmas Carol, publisher's red cloth preserved at the rear. Bound in at the front is an autograph letter by Richard Doyle folded to accommodate. The Cricket on the Hearth. A Fairy Tale of Home. London: printed and published for the author by Bradbury and Evans, 1846. First edition, second state of advertisement leaf. Additional wood-engraved title page and frontispiece after Maclise, 12 wood-engraved text vignettes after Leech, Doyle et al, integral final advertisement leaf for a new edition of Oliver Twist, publisher's red cloth preserved at the rear. Bound in at the front is an autograph letter by John Leech folded to accommodate. The Battle of Life. A Love Story. London: Bradbury and Evans, 1846. First edition, fourth issue of the engraved title. Additional pictorial wood-engraved title page and frontispiece after Maclise, 11 wood-engraved text vignettes after Leech, Doyle and Maclise, final advertisement leaf for Dombey and Son, publisher's red cloth preserved at the rear. Bound in at the front is an autograph letter by Daniel Maclise folded to accommodate. The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain. A Fancy for Christmas-Time. London: Bradbury and Evans, 1848. First edition. Additional pictorial wood-engraved title page and frontispiece after John Tenniel by Martin and Corbould, 15 wood-engraved text vignettes after Tenniel, Clarkson Stanfield integral preliminary advertisement leaf for "Works by Mr. Dickens," publisher's red cloth preserved at the rear. Bound in at the front is a two-page autograph letter by John Tenniel referring to this work, folded to accommodate. C