The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens — 1st Edition Thus

£115.00

The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens — 1st Edition Thus

Name: The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens — 1st Edition Thus
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4475
Price: 115.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, J.M. Dent & Co., 1905

Formatting: 8vo, pp. viii, 172.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original cream cloth binding remains remarkably bright and well-preserved, a scarce feat for this delicately coloured material which traditionally attracts heavy dust-soiling and staining. The olive-green and gilt Art Nouveau stamping to the boards and spine is unrubbed and vibrant, with only the slightest softening to the spine ends and sharp, unbumped corners. The text block is tight and square. The top edge gilt is mildly dulled, whilst the deckled fore and bottom edges show expected, yet minor, dust-soiling. Internally, the pages are crisp and largely free from the foxing that typically plagues this edition, featuring bright, clean plates and retaining a supple feel throughout. A highly attractive, superior example.

Catalogue Note: This volume marks the 'First Edition Thus' featuring the charming artwork of Charles Edmund (C.E.) Brock. A highly regarded line artist of the era, Brock provided eight vivid colour lithographs, including a handsome frontispiece, and nine black-and-white drawings that beautifully capture the sentimental, Victorian warmth of Dickens's prose.

Issued as part of a uniform series of Dickens's Christmas Books in the early twentieth century, these volumes were typically bound in heavily decorated cream cloth (and occasionally vellum), lavishly stamped with an Arts and Crafts pattern of cherubim and flora. Due to the pale nature of the binding, surviving copies on the open market are frequently marred by severe handling wear, toning, and foxing, making a copy in such a bright and unblemished state highly desirable.

The book is presented in a remarkably clean internal state, completely free of any previous ownership signatures, bookplates, binders' stamps, or contemporary gift inscriptions.

First published in 1845, The Cricket on the Hearth: A Tale of Home is the third of Charles Dickens's five celebrated Christmas novellas. The story revolves around the modest, happy home of John Peerybingle, a carrier, and his young wife, Dot. A chirping cricket on their hearth acts as a guardian angel to the family, watching over them as their domestic bliss is threatened by misunderstandings and the arrival of a mysterious, disguised stranger. Less overtly supernatural than A Christmas Carol, this heartwarming, highly sentimental novella celebrates the sanctity of the Victorian home, the power of forgiveness, and the enduring magic of the holiday season.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Charles Dickens

Book Publisher: J.M. Dent & Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Classic Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 172

Book Publication Year: 1905

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover (Cloth)

Illustrator: C.E. Brock

Book Series: Christmas Books

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.