DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870). A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas. London: Chapman & Hall, 1843.

First edition, first issue, of the world's most famous Christmas story. With "Stave I" as the first chapter heading, balance of text uncorrected (excepting the period after gloom is faint on p.21), red and blue title page dated 1843, and yellow endpapers. Arguably the most widely read and cherished of Dickens's works. Eckel, p. 110; Smith II.4.

Octavo. Half-title printed in blue, title-page printed in red and blue, verso printed in blue. Hand-colored etched frontispiece and three plates by John Leech, four wood-engravings in the text by W.J. Linton after Leech. 2-page publisher's advertisement at end.Original brick-red fine-ribbed cloth, all edges gilt, yellow endpapers (slight lean and sunning; hinges cracked and showing). Custom box. Provenance: Miss G.M. Rankin (gift inscription dated Bristol, 12 January 1844).