Dickens' Child History of England

Dickens, Charles

A Child's History of England

London: Bradbury and Evans, 1852-53-54. First editions, first issues. Three small volumes (squarish 12mos, roughly 6 by 5 inches). Engraved frontispiece in each volume, marbled edges and endpapers.

Volume I: England from the Ancient Times, to the Death of King John.

Volume II: England from the Reign of Henry the Third, to the Reign of Richard the Third.

Volume III: England from the Reign of Henry the Seventh to the Revolution of 1688.

A brief history of England written by Dickens in the early 1850s and originally published between 1851 and 1853 in Household Words, one of the many publications he edited. The three volumes were first issued one per year about Christmastime in 1851, 1852, and 1853 (with copyright dates for the following year, as was usually the case for December publications) and reprinted several times. Complete sets of all three books in their first edition, first issue are relatively uncommon as a result of the staggered publication. 

$2,750

In an 1843 letter, Dickens referred to a history for children, but that project seems to have been abandoned, although he must kept the idea in mind for nearly a decade before approaching the project anew. He composed these volumes while he was busy writing Bleak House and dictated at least part of the text to his sister-in-law "while walking about the room." Dickens based his work on Thomas Keightley's History of England.

All in all, a charming set of one of Dickens' lesser-known works for children. The first issues are identified by the 1852-53-54 dates on the title pages and in volume 1, a missing page number (folio) on page xi and no mention of this work on the ad leaf at the back of the book.

Very good or better in the original publisher's cloth binding, which is slightly faded at the spine, and showing touches of wear at the extremities. A few of the hinges are starting to crack, but the bindings remain sound. Previous owner's signature in each volume. Curiously, the ownership signature in the third volume, whose publication is typically reported as Christmas 1853, is dated June 3, 1853.

A nice set, with each protected by a custom chemise and decorated gilt half morocco case. Armorial bookplate of noted Dickens collector George Barr McCutcheon in each volume [CHA1012 ZWN]

$2,750.00