A tale of two cities first edition

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  Published by London: Chapman and Hall, 1859

  Book First Edition

  Hardcover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. Original red cloth (first binding). Joints very slightly tender, light soiling. A very handsome copy in original, unrestored condition. Half morocco case. FIRST EDITION, FIRST BINDING, FIRST PRINTING (with page 213 mis-numbered 113 and sig. b present on the list of illustrations, points that were corrected in later copies of this edition). A Tale of Two Cities is one of Dickens s greatest and most-quoted novels. The force of the novel springs from its exploration of darkness and death but its beauty derives from Dickens s real sense of transcendence, from his ability to see the sweep of destiny . . . this is what emerges most clearly from one of his shortest and most powerful novels (Ackroyd). Dickens was emotionally vested in this great novel. He wrote, It has had complete possession of me; I have so far verified what is done and suffered in these pages as that I have certainly done and suffered it all myself. The quality and strength of the prose is some of the finest he was ever to produce, for example, It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known. This is the best copy we have seen. The novel s serialization in Dickens s weekly All the Year Round reduced the demand for the book and parts issues, and thus collectible copies are scarce. Provenance: Mrs. J. Insley Blair, Sotheby s, New York, 3 December 2004, lot 140.

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  Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. First Edition, First Printing. This is the TRUE FIRST EDITION with the First issue point with page 213 miss-paginated. The publisher's catalog is present and dated November 1859. This copy is SIGNED by Charles Dickens on a laid in check dated 1859, the same year this book was published. A wonderful UNRESTORED copy bound in the ORIGINAL publisher's Red Cloth. The binding is tight with light wear to the boards. The pages are clean with minor discoloration to the endpapers. There is NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. Overall, a lovely copy of this First Edition SIGNED by the author. We buy Charles Dickens First Editions. Signed by Author(s).

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  First edition, first issue one of Dickens� most enduring works, with p.213 in part 7/8 mispaginated "113", and signature mark 'b' present on List of Plates at end, etched frontispiece, additional title and 14 plates by "Phiz" (Hablot K. Browne). Octavo, original blue-green wrappers. Complete with all the advertisements called for by Hatton & Cleaver, and the two rare slips in parts 1 and 5. Includes three variant issues of part 1, one with Morison's 'premises' advert, the second with Morison's 'lion' advert, and the third with the rare French version of the Morison's 'lion' advert. In near fine condition. A scarce and desirable complete set in original parts. Housed in a custom folding clamshell box. The most famous and possibly the most popular of Dickens's novels, A Tale of Two Cities shows a master of dramatic narrative extracting gold from the ore of history. If the bloody tableau of the French Revolution were not in itself sufficient for a dozen novels, Dickens added to it a professional resurrectionist, an authentic ogress, and an antihero as convincingly flawed as any in modern literature. � Dickens had always admired Carlyle� s History of the French Revolution, and asked him to recommend suitable books from which he could research the period; in reply Carlyle sent him a � cartload� of volumes� � So great was [Dickens� ] enthusiasm for the story that it had indeed � taken in possession� of him� � The force of the novel springs from its exploration of darkness and death but its beauty derives from Dickens� real sense of transcendence, from his ability to see the sweep of destiny� (Ackroyd, 858). The last of Dickens� books to be illustrated by H.K. Browne (� Phiz� ), with 16 engraved plates by him. � Browne, for 23 years responsible for all the etchings which had so successfully embellished these [Dickens� ] books, produced his last drawings for the present work� � Bradbury and Evans, the printers of all and publishers of five of Dickens� works as issued in monthly parts, had ceased to act in this dual capacity after completion of Little Dorrit� � [resulting] in the return of Chapman and Hall as publishers of this and all succeeding works� (Hatton & Cleaver, 333).

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  A Tale of Two Cities in the Rare Original Wraps DICKENS, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. With Illustrations by H. K. Browne London: Chapman and Hall, [July-December] 1859. First edition, first issue, in the original eight numbers, bound in seven monthly parts. Octavo. [i-vii]viii[ix-x], [1]2-254. (No half-title called for.) Sixteen inserted plates including the frontispiece and the vignette title. Original blue printed wrappers. Set collates complete, with the often-seen substitution of the Morison "Monument" ad for the Morison "View" ad in Part III, and a variant of the Morison Ad in part I. Parts I and VI contain front inserts not called for in Hatton & Cleaver, both within the original stab stitching. Text is first issue with p. 213 showing "113", "affectionately" misspelled on page 134 and the List of Plates bearing signature "b." Some moderate wear and dust soiling to parts wrappers. Text is partially unopened and very clean. Plates are extremely clean as well. Some minor creasing to part VII/VIII, presumably from original mailing, and with a faint postmark stamp on back wrapper of December 1859. Some professional minor restoration to backstrips. Overall, a near fine set. Housed in a chemise and a red morocco pull-off case. A Tale of Two Cities marks the final collaboration of Phiz and Dickens, as well as Dickens' return to Chapman and Hall. It is one of the rarer novels in parts. The serialization in All the Year Round ran weekly from 30 April to 26 November, with the book being published on 21 November. Hatton and Cleaver, pp. 333-342. HBS 68728. $22,500.

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  First Edition; first binding; publisher's maroon cloth; 32 page publisher's catalogue (not present in all copies); owner's 20th century ink notation on the front free endpaper; hinges and spine archivally mended (not rebacked or recased); some foxing; a very good copy. All books described as first editions are first printings unless otherwise noted.

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  Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. London Chapman and Hall, 1859. Beautiful First edition, First Issue in the Original Red Cloth DICKENS, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. With Illustrations by H.K. Browne. London: Chapman and Hall, 1859. First edition, first issue in the primary binding. Octavo 8 3/4 x 5 9/16 inches; 222 x 141 mm. [i-vii] viii [ix-x], [1] 2-254; Sixteen inserted plates, including frontispiece and vignette title, by Browne ['Phiz']. All eight of Smith's internal flaws necessary for the first issue present, including page 213 misnumbered 113. Publishers primary binding of deep red sand-grain cloth, covers stamped in blind, spine lettered in gilt. Edges uncut. Cloth on boards is still a rich red. Housed in a full leather decorated red morocco clamshell case. An excellent copy. A Tale of Two Cities was first serialized in Dickenss periodical All the Year Round, from April 30-November 26, 1859. Its appearance in monthly parts (July-December 1859) and book form mark Dickenss return to his old publishers Chapman and Hall, after a long stay with Bradbury and Evans. The extremely large audience for the novel in All the Year Round, however, left less than the usual demand for the parts issue and, at first, for the book, both of which are now quite rare. This title also marks the authors final collaboration with Phiz, Dickenss most evocative and most sympathetic illustrator. Smith I, 13. Hatton and Cleaver, pp. 333-342.

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  FIRST EDITION, first issue. Frontispiece, engr. title & 14 plates by H.K. Browne; sl. browned. Bound from the parts in original red morocco-grained cloth, blocked in blind, spine lettered in reverse out of gilt. Endpapers early replaced with similar pale yellow paper. Armorial bookplate of William Edward Kelly. Sadleir 701; Wolff 1811; Smith p.96. This copy has all the issue points attributed by Smith 13 to the first issue, including the uncorrected pagination '113' on p213, and signature 'b' on the list of plates ('omitted. in later copies'). This copy is bound without the catalogue, which Smith says appeared 'in some copies'. A Tale of Two Cities is probably the most difficult Dickens first edition in cloth. This copy has slight marking to the back board; there is slight rubbing but it is v.g. - and probably as good as it is possible to obtain. From the library of William Edward Kelly of St. Helens, Westport, County Mayo.

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  Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. First Edition, First Printing with the First issue point with page 213 misnumbered "113." The book is bound in the publisher's ORIGINAL red cloth with NO restoration. The binding is tight with some wear to the spine and boards. The book has the inserted frontispiece with the decorative title-page and fourteen other inserted plates. Includes yellow half-sheet slip inserted between pages two and three announcing "Discontinuance of Household Words" and its merging with All the Year Round. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in book. A wonderful copy housed in a custom clamshell slipcase for preservation.

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  8.5 x 5.25, full gilt ruled crushed gold morocco with raised bands; aeg, SIGNED BINDINGS BY BAYNTUN-RIVIERE, 254 pp + List of Plates, covers a little rubbed, hinges a little loose, pp toned with a little finger soiling else a finely bound beautiful copy of the FIRST ED with "affetcionately" on p 134, missing "lf" on p 166, and "113" on p 213.

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  First edition, first issue of one of Dickens' most enduring works, with p. 213 misnumbered "113," the signature mark "b" at the foot of the plate list, and the misspelling "affetcionately" on line 12, p. 134. Octavo, bound in three quarters leather over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers. Sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including frontispiece and title vignette. In near fine condition. The most famous and possibly the most popular of Dickens's novels, A Tale of Two Cities shows a master of dramatic narrative extracting gold from the ore of history. If the bloody tableau of the French Revolution were not in itself sufficient for a dozen novels, Dickens added to it a professional resurrectionist, an authentic ogress, and an antihero as convincingly flawed as any in modern literature. � Dickens had always admired Carlyle� s History of the French Revolution, and asked him to recommend suitable books from which he could research the period; in reply Carlyle sent him a � cartload� of volumes� � So great was [Dickens� ] enthusiasm for the story that it had indeed � taken in possession� of him� � The force of the novel springs from its exploration of darkness and death but its beauty derives from Dickens� real sense of transcendence, from his ability to see the sweep of destiny� (Ackroyd, 858). The last of Dickens� books to be illustrated by H.K. Browne (� Phiz� ), with 16 engraved plates by him. � Browne, for 23 years responsible for all the etchings which had so successfully embellished these [Dickens� ] books, produced his last drawings for the present work� � Bradbury and Evans, the printers of all and publishers of five of Dickens� works as issued in monthly parts, had ceased to act in this dual capacity after completion of Little Dorrit� � [resulting] in the return of Chapman and Hall as publishers of this and all succeeding works� (Hatton & Cleaver, 333).

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  London: Chapman & Hall, 1859. 8vo., [ix], [1]-254, 16 etched plates including frontis and title vignette. Half dark-brown calf and forest-green cloth. The boards edges, corners and joints are rubbed, minor scattered foxing, some of the plates are loose from the stitching, small tear on the list of plates page; otherwise a very good complete copy. First edition bound from the original parts. All eight of Smith's internal flaws necessary for the first issue present, including page 213 mis-numbered 113. � When Dickens began the publication of All the Year Round, the successor of Household Words, he realized the necessity of making a strong start. So he began writing A Tale of Two Cities, publishing the first of the serial in the opening number of his new periodical. As a novel of great popularity it probably ranks next to Pickwick and Copperfield� (Eckel 87). This was the last novel in which Dickens worked with � Phiz� after a partnership of 23 years, and was published on commission through the renewed partnership with Chapman & Hall. Podeschi A143. Thomson 89. Smith I, 13.

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  First edition, first issue of one of Dickens' most enduring works, with p. 213 misnumbered "113," the signature mark "b" at the foot of the plate list, and the misspelling "affetcionately" on line 12, p. 134. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, panels decoratively triple-ruled in gilt with gilt floral cornerpieces, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including frontispiece and title vignette. In near fine condition. The most famous and possibly the most popular of Dickens's novels, A Tale of Two Cities shows a master of dramatic narrative extracting gold from the ore of history. If the bloody tableau of the French Revolution were not in itself sufficient for a dozen novels, Dickens added to it a professional resurrectionist, an authentic ogress, and an antihero as convincingly flawed as any in modern literature. � Dickens had always admired Carlyle� s History of the French Revolution, and asked him to recommend suitable books from which he could research the period; in reply Carlyle sent him a � cartload� of volumes� � So great was [Dickens� ] enthusiasm for the story that it had indeed � taken in possession� of him� � The force of the novel springs from its exploration of darkness and death but its beauty derives from Dickens� real sense of transcendence, from his ability to see the sweep of destiny� (Ackroyd, 858). The last of Dickens� books to be illustrated by H.K. Browne (� Phiz� ), with 16 engraved plates by him. � Browne, for 23 years responsible for all the etchings which had so successfully embellished these [Dickens� ] books, produced his last drawings for the present work� � Bradbury and Evans, the printers of all and publishers of five of Dickens� works as issued in monthly parts, had ceased to act in this dual capacity after completion of Little Dorrit� � [resulting] in the return of Chapman and Hall as publishers of this and all succeeding works� (Hatton & Cleaver, 333).

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  First edition, First Issue with p. 213 mis-numbered 113 and signature b to the list of illustrations leaf and the required mis-spelling at p. 134. With 16 illustrations by H. K. Browne, including a frontispiece and vignette title page. 8vo, very handsomely bound in antique three-quarter tan calf, the covers with fine marbled paper over the boards, the spine elaborately decorated within panels gilt tooled at the borders and with central gilt ornamental pieces between raised bands, lettered in gilt on contrasting maroon and brown morocco lettering labels, l blue marbled endleaves, a.e.g. viii, list of plates, 254pp. A fine and very handsome copy indeed, the prelims with some browning from long ago. FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE. TALE OF TWO CITIES ranks amongst the most famous works in the history of literary fiction. It is one of only two works of historical fiction by Charles Dickens and stands out from most of Dickens's other novels as the one containing the least humour. That is not surprising, as the historical context of the novel, the French Revolution and Reign of Terror, were a bit bleak to allow for the wackier characters Dickens is known for. This fact has in no way impacted the novel s popularity, it has never been out of print and by the start of the 21th century had sold an estimated 200 million copies worldwide.

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  Hard Cover with Slipcase. Condition: Very Good. H.K. Browne (illustrator). 1st Edition. This is a first edition, rebound copy, with slipcase. There are 14 illustrations in black and white. Book has gilt on top edge with previous owners name on end paper. Appears signature is very old. A nice, clean copy of a great piece of literary history. A rebound, clean copy of a literary piece of history. Slipcase.

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  First edition, first issue of one of Dickens' most enduring works, with p. 213 misnumbered "113," the signature mark "b" at the foot of the plate list, and the misspelling "affetcionately" on line 12, p. 134. Octavo, bound in three quarters leather over marbled boards, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers. Sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including frontispiece and title vignette. In near fine condition. Ownership signature. The most famous and possibly the most popular of Dickens's novels, A Tale of Two Cities shows a master of dramatic narrative extracting gold from the ore of history. If the bloody tableau of the French Revolution were not in itself sufficient for a dozen novels, Dickens added to it a professional resurrectionist, an authentic ogress, and an antihero as convincingly flawed as any in modern literature. � Dickens had always admired Carlyle� s History of the French Revolution, and asked him to recommend suitable books from which he could research the period; in reply Carlyle sent him a � cartload� of volumes� � So great was [Dickens� ] enthusiasm for the story that it had indeed � taken in possession� of him� � The force of the novel springs from its exploration of darkness and death but its beauty derives from Dickens� real sense of transcendence, from his ability to see the sweep of destiny� (Ackroyd, 858). The last of Dickens� books to be illustrated by H.K. Browne (� Phiz� ), with 16 engraved plates by him. � Browne, for 23 years responsible for all the etchings which had so successfully embellished these [Dickens� ] books, produced his last drawings for the present work� � Bradbury and Evans, the printers of all and publishers of five of Dickens� works as issued in monthly parts, had ceased to act in this dual capacity after completion of Little Dorrit� � [resulting] in the return of Chapman and Hall as publishers of this and all succeeding works� (Hatton & Cleaver, 333).

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  Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Original maroon cloth covers, rebacked with matching leather spine. With Illustrations by H.K. Browne. 1859. First edition, second state with title-page still dated 1859 but with corrected pagination on page 213 and no signature "b" on the list of plates. Octavo. [i-vii]viii[ix-x], [1]2-254 pp. Sixteen inserted plates, including frontispiece and vignette title, by Browne ['Phiz']. From the silk manufacturing family empire of George Courtauld, signed and dated 1859 by George Courtauld (unclear if the father or the son) on the front free endpaper, and with the bookplate of (son or brother) Sydney Courtauld on the front pastedown. A vestige of British history. Far more desirable with the original cloth instead of the far more common complete rebinding. Housed in a custom-made collector's slipcase.

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  First edition in book form, handsomely bound by Zahensdorf and with an original front wrapper from part I of the serial issue bound in at the front. Dickens's great historical romance, set during the French Revolution, remains one of his best known and most widely read works. "In its tightly organized and highly romantic melodrama and the near-absence of typical 'Dickensian' humour and humorous characters, A Tale of Two Cities certainly stands apart from all his other novels" (ODNB). The novel was also issued in monthly parts from April 1859 to November 1859 and serialized in the weekly journal All the Year Round in the same period, before publication in book form in November that year. Eckel, pp. 86-90; Gimbel A142; Hatton & Cleaver p. 331; Kremers, pp. 108-112; Smith 13. Octavo (220 x 140 mm). Early 20th-century brown morocco by Zaehnsdorf, spine lettered in gilt with ornaments in compartments, covers, board edges, and turn-ins ruled in gilt, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt. Engraved frontispiece, vignette title and 14 plates by H. K. Browne (Phiz). This copy with the primary state of p. 213 misnumbered "113" and the secondary state of the list of plates without signature "b", not indicative of priority of issue (Kremers, p. 112). Slight rubbing at extremities, inner hinges neatly repaired, the binding firm and sound, occasional foxing to contents, otherwise clean; an excellent copy.

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  Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. 1st Edition. A very good, first edition, first issue, rebound in leather, with all first issue points. As Hatton and Cleaver note in their bibliography, A Tale of Two Cities has "practically no 'points' sufficiently outstanding to distinguish the earlier printings." However, both H&C and Smith agree that copies with the misprint on page 213 corrected and lacking the signature "b" on page ix are decidedly second printings. This copy has the first issue points. Foxing, all plates and some pages have been inserted. All plates and pages are present, except no publisher's catalog, which is not present in all copies. Housed in custom-made collector's cloth slipcase.

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  Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. pp: [vii] viii-x [1]2-254. FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE. Bound in full red calf with gilt trim, raised bands trimmed in gilt, title stamped in gilt. All edges trimmed in gilt. Held in matching red slipcase. The love theme triangle in the novel was likely inspired by a similar situation in 'The Frozen Deep', a play in which Dickens acted. Frontispiece and fourteen plates. Page 213 mis numbered as '113'. Gimbel A143. The 45-chapter novel was published in 31 weekly installments in Dickens' new literary periodical titled All the Year Round. From April 1859 to November 1859, Dickens also republished the chapters as eight monthly sections in green covers.The first weekly installment of A Tale of Two Cities ran in the first issue of All the Year Round on 30 April 1859. The last ran thirty weeks later, on 26 November. This was the last of Dickens' novels to be illustrated by Browne.

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  Condition: Fine. H.K. Browne. (illustrator). First Edition in Book Form. FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE. Magnificently bound in full crimson morocco by Bayntyn, Riviere. Gold portrait of Dickens on front cover and facsimile of his signature on rear cover also in gold. Inner dentelles over beautiful marbled boards. All edges gilt. Eckel 86; Sadleir 701. Size: 8vo.

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  First edition, first issue of one of Dickens' most enduring works, with p. 213 misnumbered "113," the signature mark "b" at the foot of the plate list, and the misspelling "affetcionately" on line 12, p. 134. Octavo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers. Sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including frontispiece and title vignette. In near fine condition. An exceptional presentation. The most famous and possibly the most popular of Dickens's novels, A Tale of Two Cities shows a master of dramatic narrative extracting gold from the ore of history. If the bloody tableau of the French Revolution were not in itself sufficient for a dozen novels, Dickens added to it a professional resurrectionist, an authentic ogress, and an antihero as convincingly flawed as any in modern literature. � Dickens had always admired Carlyle� s History of the French Revolution, and asked him to recommend suitable books from which he could research the period; in reply Carlyle sent him a � cartload� of volumes� � So great was [Dickens� ] enthusiasm for the story that it had indeed � taken in possession� of him� � The force of the novel springs from its exploration of darkness and death but its beauty derives from Dickens� real sense of transcendence, from his ability to see the sweep of destiny� (Ackroyd, 858). The last of Dickens� books to be illustrated by H.K. Browne (� Phiz� ), with 16 engraved plates by him. � Browne, for 23 years responsible for all the etchings which had so successfully embellished these [Dickens� ] books, produced his last drawings for the present work� � Bradbury and Evans, the printers of all and publishers of five of Dickens� works as issued in monthly parts, had ceased to act in this dual capacity after completion of Little Dorrit� � [resulting] in the return of Chapman and Hall as publishers of this and all succeeding works� (Hatton & Cleaver, 333).

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  First edition, first issue of one of Dickens' most enduring works. Octavo, bound in three quarters morocco, marbled endpapers. In very good condition. Sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including frontispiece and title vignette. The most famous and possibly the most popular of Dickens's novels, A Tale of Two Cities shows a master of dramatic narrative extracting gold from the ore of history. If the bloody tableau of the French Revolution were not in itself sufficient for a dozen novels, Dickens added to it a professional resurrectionist, an authentic ogress, and an antihero as convincingly flawed as any in modern literature. � Dickens had always admired Carlyle� s History of the French Revolution, and asked him to recommend suitable books from which he could research the period; in reply Carlyle sent him a � cartload� of volumes� � So great was [Dickens� ] enthusiasm for the story that it had indeed � taken in possession� of him� � The force of the novel springs from its exploration of darkness and death but its beauty derives from Dickens� real sense of transcendence, from his ability to see the sweep of destiny� (Ackroyd, 858). The last of Dickens� books to be illustrated by H.K. Browne (� Phiz� ), with 16 engraved plates by him. � Browne, for 23 years responsible for all the etchings which had so successfully embellished these [Dickens� ] books, produced his last drawings for the present work� � Bradbury and Evans, the printers of all and publishers of five of Dickens� works as issued in monthly parts, had ceased to act in this dual capacity after completion of Little Dorrit� � [resulting] in the return of Chapman and Hall as publishers of this and all succeeding works� (Hatton & Cleaver, 333).

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  First edition, first issue of one of Dickens' most enduring works, with p. 213 misnumbered "113," the signature mark "b" at the foot of the plate list, and the misspelling "affetcionately" on line 12, p. 134. Octavo, bound in full morocco, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers. Sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including frontispiece and title vignette. In near fine condition. A very nice example. The most famous and possibly the most popular of Dickens's novels, A Tale of Two Cities shows a master of dramatic narrative extracting gold from the ore of history. If the bloody tableau of the French Revolution were not in itself sufficient for a dozen novels, Dickens added to it a professional resurrectionist, an authentic ogress, and an antihero as convincingly flawed as any in modern literature. � Dickens had always admired Carlyle� s History of the French Revolution, and asked him to recommend suitable books from which he could research the period; in reply Carlyle sent him a � cartload� of volumes� � So great was [Dickens� ] enthusiasm for the story that it had indeed � taken in possession� of him� � The force of the novel springs from its exploration of darkness and death but its beauty derives from Dickens� real sense of transcendence, from his ability to see the sweep of destiny� (Ackroyd, 858). The last of Dickens� books to be illustrated by H.K. Browne (� Phiz� ), with 16 engraved plates by him. � Browne, for 23 years responsible for all the etchings which had so successfully embellished these [Dickens� ] books, produced his last drawings for the present work� � Bradbury and Evans, the printers of all and publishers of five of Dickens� works as issued in monthly parts, had ceased to act in this dual capacity after completion of Little Dorrit� � [resulting] in the return of Chapman and Hall as publishers of this and all succeeding works� (Hatton & Cleaver, 333).

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  Hardcover. First Edition, First Issue. First Issue Professionally re-backed preserving much of the original back strip and the blind embossed, red cloth covered boards with new end sheets. An octavo of 8 3/4 by 5 1/2 inches. Overall in very good plus condition with slight foxing to the engraved title pages. Page 243/244 has a 1 1/2" closed tear at the lower edge which has been repaired. The plate facing page 72 has been professionally reattached; however, its extreme lower edge is soiled. The top edge of the text block is soiled. 254 pages of text followed by the publisher's Catalogue of Books 32 pages dated November, 1859. With 14 plates and the frontispiece and the vignette titlepage by H. K. Browne ['Phiz']. The list of plates shows the signature letter "b", the page number error on 213 is present as is the misspelling of "affectionately" on page 134, line 12, all of which evidence this copy as a first issue. (Eckel p.86, Podeschi, A143; Smith 13).

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  Hard Cover. First Edition. (London: Chapman and Hall MDCCCLIX [1859]). First Edition First Issue with page 213 mis-paginated showing "113" and the List of Plates bearing signature "b". Without the publisher's catalogue although this is not present in all copies. Engraved frontispiece, half-title, and 14 plates by H. K. Browne. Internally the page are very clean. Beautifully bound in 19th century green half-calf with raised bands to the spine, matching marbled boards and end-papers. Patterned edges of the pages. At the rear of the book there is a small bookseller's ticket: R Stewart (Paisley). This is likely to be Robert Stewart - bookseller, stationer and bookbinder in Paisley during the 1850's. Book-plate of Alex Cuninghame Esq., affixed to the front paste-down. An attractive VG or better copy.

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  First edition, first issue of one of Dickens' most enduring works. Octavo, bound in three quarters morocco, gilt titles and tooling to the spine. In very good condition. Sixteen plates after H.K. Browne including frontispiece and title vignette. The most famous and possibly the most popular of Dickens's novels, A Tale of Two Cities shows a master of dramatic narrative extracting gold from the ore of history. If the bloody tableau of the French Revolution were not in itself sufficient for a dozen novels, Dickens added to it a professional resurrectionist, an authentic ogress, and an antihero as convincingly flawed as any in modern literature. � Dickens had always admired Carlyle� s History of the French Revolution, and asked him to recommend suitable books from which he could research the period; in reply Carlyle sent him a � cartload� of volumes� � So great was [Dickens� ] enthusiasm for the story that it had indeed � taken in possession� of him� � The force of the novel springs from its exploration of darkness and death but its beauty derives from Dickens� real sense of transcendence, from his ability to see the sweep of destiny� (Ackroyd, 858). The last of Dickens� books to be illustrated by H.K. Browne (� Phiz� ), with 16 engraved plates by him. � Browne, for 23 years responsible for all the etchings which had so successfully embellished these [Dickens� ] books, produced his last drawings for the present work� � Bradbury and Evans, the printers of all and publishers of five of Dickens� works as issued in monthly parts, had ceased to act in this dual capacity after completion of Little Dorrit� � [resulting] in the return of Chapman and Hall as publishers of this and all succeeding works� (Hatton & Cleaver, 333).

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  FIRST EDITION, 1st issue. Front., engr. title & plates by H.K. Browne, 32pp cata. (Nov. 1859); cata. with expertly executed minor repairs to corners. Handsomely bound in full scarlet crushed morocco by Bayntun-Rivi�re of Bath, gilt spine, single-ruled borders & dentelles. a.e.g. A v.g. attractive copy. With the uncorrected pagination showing '113' on p213. An exceptionally bright and clean copy, without any staining or spotting to text or plates. One plate, 'Congratulations', has a tiny, almost imperceptible, tear in the outer margin, which has been professionally repaired with archival tape. With occasional unobtrusive pencil underlining in text.

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  Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. First edition, first issue. Three quarter leather binding over marbled boards, with marbled endsheets. Light rubbing to leather at corners and fore edge. Previous owner details to prelim, with a short repaired tear. Pages sporadically foxed, a bit heavier to plates. The classic Dickens tale set during the French Revolution, with the iconic opening line "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.".

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  First Edition. 8vo., later full red crushed Morocco by Bayntun's of Bath (signed Bayntun. Binder. Bath. Eng. on the front free endpaper,) with double gilt rules on upper and lower boards, spine in six compartments ruled in gilt and with corner ornaments in gilt, author and title lettered in gilt on green and panels respectively, t.e.g. London, Chapman and Hall. First edition, first issue, with the list of plates marked as signature 'b', p. 213 misnumbered p.113 , 'affetcionately' on p.134 line 12, complete with 16 plates plus 32 pp. adverts at rear and original covers bound in. A very good copy rebound in a plain but functional binding by Bayntun's, the pages are clean and bright and were presumably washed at the same time as rebinding. Several small professional tape repairs to the lower margin of the frontispiece, outer margin of half-title, p.91, p.191, p.193 and p.197, very slight spotting to several leaves and slight offsetting from the plates.

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  FIRST EDITION, 1st issue, b.f.t.p. Front., engr. title & plates by H.K. Browne. Attractively bound in contemp. half maroon calf, spine gilt in compartments, brown leather label, marbled boards & e.ps; spine faded to tan, v. sl. rubbing to extremities. A v.g. exceptionally clean copy. The first issue, with the uncorrected pagination '113' on p213, and the signature 'b' printed on the list of plates.

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