The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens. With Illustrations by John Leech, Richard Doyle, et al. London; Bradbury and Evans; MDCCCXLVI (1846).
FIRST EDITION of one of Dickens' most famous Christmas Books in the original publisher's cloth. A beautiful copy with the advertisement for Oliver Twist in the second state, but the text with the very scarce lacking single quote after 'Halloa' in pp.82 line 11 for which Smith only observed a single copy.
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Edition Points: (as mentioned in Smith II.)
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pp.iv, lacking comma after "Evans" in some copies only.
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pp.10, line 7, "your's". (present)
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pp.79, line 5, there is a space in the word lucky following the l, thus reading "l ucky".
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pp.82, line 11, there is a single quote after the word "Halloa", except for one copy.
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pp.98, 3 lines up, "faultered". (present)
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pp.105, line 3, the i in "in" is large and bold. (present)
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pp.121, line 12, "controul". (present)
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pp.133, line 3, "stedfast". (present)
First vs. Second State Advertisement:
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The Advertisement for Oliver Twist in the first state has two lines of italic text, while the second state has three lines of italic text. This copy has the second state advertisement.
Condition:
[(1), h.t., frontis, t.p., t.p., 4pp, 174pp, 2pp, (1)]
Original publisher's red cloth binding, bright, and generally significantly better than as typically encountered. Some minor soiling to the rear board, else externally very good to near fine. Both boards securely attached, binding secure, without shelf lean. All edges gilt, very good or better. Collated as complete, including the half title and 2pp of advertisements. Contemporary bookplate attached to front pastedown of Rt Hon Sir John Rolt, an important figure in Victorian society. This book was likely kept at Ozleworth Park, a mansion in the Cotswolds (England, UK). Mildly toned through the text block as typical, else internally in fine condition. A truly excellent copy of this scarce first edition in the original publisher's cloth binding.
[Smith II., 6]
