The Humour of Dickens, Charles Dickens (Chosen by R. J. Cruikshank) — 1st Ed
In stock
Shipping is calculated at checkout.
Publication: London, News Chronicle Publications Department, 1952
Formatting: 8vo, pp. 145.
Condition Report: Near Fine. This copy is remarkably well-preserved for a mid-century card-bound volume, boasting bright, uncreased original orange wrappers that have entirely escaped heavy fading or handling marks. The square spine remains tight and sharp, suggesting the book has scarcely been opened. At the extremities, there is only the most infinitesimal hint of shelf-wear to the corners and spine tips. The text block edges exhibit mild, uniform age-toning typical with the era's paper stock, but remain completely free of foxing or damp-staining. Internally, the pages are crisp and clean, aside from a neat previous ownership signature to the preliminary leaves, rounding out a highly attractive, collector-worthy copy.
Catalogue Note: This first edition of The Humour of Dickens was compiled to commemorate the Jubilee of the Dickens Fellowship, with the proceeds originally intended to complete the Dickens House Endowment Fund. It stands as a fascinating intersection of Victorian literature and mid-twentieth-century British illustration.
The volume is profusely illustrated by a veritable 'who's who' of the leading cartoonists and artists of the 1950s, including Ronald Searle, Osbert Lancaster, Joss, Illingworth, Low, Giles, Cummings, Vicky, Horner, and Edward Ardizzone. Their contemporary visual interpretations of Dickens's classic characters breathe fresh life into the text, making this anthology as much a showcase of mid-century graphic art as it is a literary collection.
Finding a copy in such crisp, well-preserved original wrappers is unusual, as these card covers were highly susceptible to damage, rubbing, and creasing.
A delightful anthology that showcases the lighter side of one of the 19th century’s greatest novelists. Compiled by R. J. Cruikshank, The Humour of Dickens gathers the most rip-roaring and side-splitting passages from Charles Dickens’s extensive bibliography. Brilliantly elevated by the line drawings of Britain's premier post-war illustrators, this collection guarantees to bring the immortal wit and comic genius of Dickens to the forefront, proving that his humour remains as infectious today as it was in the Victorian era.
Book Condition: Near Fine
Book Authors: Charles Dickens
Book Publisher: News Chronicle Publications Department
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Fiction
Genre: Humour
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 145
Book Publication Year: 1952
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Card Wrappers
Illustrator: Ronald Searle, Osbert Lancaster, Joss, Illingworth, Low, Giles, Cummings, Vicky, Horner, Edward Ardizzone
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| 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. |
Get in touch
You may also like
Join the Broadhurst Archive
Be the first to hear about rare new arrivals, signed editions, and literary events. A century of stories delivered straight to your inbox.