Dickens, Charles

8vo, 3 volumes, first edition in book form, first state of the advertisements, wood-engraved frontispiece to each volume by Francis W. Topham, original reddish-brown bold-ribbed cloth, covers with borders in blind, upper covers with gilt vignette of Alfred reading to his mother, marbled endpapers and edges, in silk slipcase, contemporary inscription on half-titles, later inscription on front fixed endpapers, slightly spotted, covers slightly faded at edges, spines faded, bumped at head and foot

F.C. Heppel, bookplate on front free endpaper

Eckel pp.128-130; Smith II:10

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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Dedicated to his children, "whom I hope it may help, bye and bye, to read with interest larger and better books on the same subject," the Child's History of England was first published serially in Dickens' own weekly journal, Household Words. Like many of the essays Dickens wrote for the journal in the 1850s, the Child's History expresses an anti-aristocratic and anti-monarchical view of English history and society.