Description
“IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES, IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES”: VERY RARE SPECIALLY BOUND PRESENTATION FIRST EDITION OF DICKENS’ MASTERPIECE TALE OF TWO CITIES, BOLDLY INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY DICKENS ON THE TITLE PAGE
DICKENS, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. London: Chapman and Hall, 1859. Octavo, contemporary three-quarter red morocco for presentation, marbled boards and endpapers, all edges gilt. Housed in a custom cloth clamshell box.
First edition, first issue, of Dickens’ second historical novel, one of his most enduring works—a powerful tale of self-sacrifice and rebirth amid the turmoil of the French Revolution. This copy a very rare presentation copy, boldly inscribed and signed by Dickens with his characteristic flourish on the title page to Lavinia Watson, widow of Honorable Richard Watson, whom Dickens often visited at their home, Rockingham Castle, where he performed private theatricals, and to whom he dedicated David Copperfield in 1850.
“Dickens had always admired Carlyle’s History of the French Revolution and asked him to recommend suitable books from which he could research the period; in reply Carlyle sent him a ‘cartload’ of volumes… So great was [Dickens’] enthusiasm for the story that it had indeed ‘taken in possession’ of him… The force of the novel springs from its exploration of darkness and death but its beauty derives from Dickens’ real sense of transcendence, from his ability to see the sweep of destiny” (Ackroyd, 858). Dickens’ dissatisfaction with H.C. Browne’s work and his decision to replace him as his illustrator may explain why the plates are typically not bound in with presentation copies of A Tale of Two Cities. First issue, with page 213 misnumbered as 113 and other first-issue points as called for. Originally published as a serial in Dickens’ weekly journal All the Year Round, issued in eight parts from June to December 1859. Engraved title page and frontispiece present; bound without plates as usual in the specially bound presentation copies of this title. Smith I:13. Eckel, 86-90. Hatton & Cleaver, 333-42. Gimbel A143. The recipient, Lavinia Watson, was the widow of the Honorable Richard Watson (1800-52). Dickens first met them at Lausanne in 1846 and visited them often at their home, Rockingham Castle, where he performed private theatricals. They were the dedicatees of David Copperfield in 1850. Mrs. Watson, born Lavinia Jane Quin (1816-88) remained a frequent correspondent and trusted confidante of Dickens throughout his life.
Joints, inner hinges, and extremities skilfully restored by James Brockman, title leaf evenly toned and with small areas of marginal restoration at head, fore-edge, and lower outer corner, a very good copy, exceptionally rare and desirable presented and boldly signed by Dickens.
