Dickens, Charles.

12mo, first edition, first impression, first issue, with 14-15mm between closest points of blindstamping and goldwreath on upper cover and the 'D' of 'Dickens' unbroken, with uncorrected text, engraved frontispiece and 3 plates coloured by hand and 4 woodcuts in the text all by John Leech, "Stave I" on p.1, red and blue title page, half-title and verso of title printed in blue, green endpapers, 2pp. of advertisements at the end, original cinammon vertically-waved cloth, stamped in blind and gilt, all edges gilt, preserved in quarter red morocco folding box, an exceptionally fine copy

Smith II:4

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A quite beautiful copy of the novella in which Dickens "almost singlehandedly created the modern idea of Christmas" (Peter Ackroyd, Dickens).

This copy conforms to William H. Todd's first impression, first issue, as originally described in his authoritative article in The Book Collector, 1961, pp.449-54, and as reproduced by Walter E. Smith in Charles Dickens in the Original Cloth. A Bibliographical Catalogue.. Part II. The Christmas Books... (Los Angeles, 1983)