“IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES, IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES”: FIRST EDITION OF DICKENS’ TALE OF TWO CITIES, BEAUTIFULLY BOUND

DICKENS, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities. London: Chapman and Hall, 1859. Octavo, early 20th-century full red morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, raised bands, Dickens’ portrait in gilt on front board and signature in gilt on rear board, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Housed in custom slipcase.

First edition in book form, first issue, of Dickens’ second historical novel and one of his most enduring works—a powerful tale of self-sacrifice and rebirth against the backdrop of the French Revolution—beautifully bound by Bayntun.

“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). The last of Dickens’ books to be illustrated by H.K. Browne (“Phiz”), with 16 engraved plates by him. “Browne, for 23 years responsible for all the etchings which had so successfully embellished these [Dickens’] books, produced his last drawings for the present work… Bradbury and Evans, the printers of all and publishers of five of Dickens’ works as issued in monthly parts, had ceased to act in this dual capacity after completion of Little Dorrit… [resulting] in the return of Chapman and Hall as publishers of this and all succeeding works” (Hatton & Cleaver, 333). First issue, with page 213 misnumbered as 113, the signature mark “b” on the List of Plates 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. 32-page publisher’s catalogue dated November 1859 at rear. Original cloth bound in at rear. Hatton & Cleaver, 333-42. Smith I:13. Eckel, 86-90. Gimbel A143.

Marginal small repairs on two plates. Frontispiece very slightly sprung. A clean and fine copy, beautifully bound.