A Christmas Carol

A wonderfully atmospheric vintage edition of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, illustrated by the legendary Arthur Rackham and published by J. B. Lippincott Company of Philadelphia.

This is the New Popular Edition, printed in Great Britain and likely dating from the mid-1930s. Rackham's illustrations are a particularly fitting accompaniment to Dickens' Christmas classic, capturing everything from the ghostly encounters of Scrooge to the warmth and celebration of Christmas Day.

Especially appealing is the completeness of this copy. The book's List of Illustrations calls for 4 color illustrations, and all four are present, including the color frontispiece. The original dust jacket also states that the edition contains 18 additional black-and-white illustrations.

The interior is in remarkably attractive condition overall, with clean, bright pages and beautifully preserved color illustrations. The original red cloth binding remains bright and handsome, with strong black lettering and festive bell and holly decorations.

Very good overall vintage appearance with noted binding issue at the front.

The red cloth remains unusually bright and attractive, with bold black titles and decorative Christmas motifs to the front board and spine. There is some light rubbing, handling wear and minor soiling consistent with age, but the binding presents very nicely.

The interior is exceptionally clean and well preserved overall, with bright pages and very little of the heavy toning or foxing sometimes encountered in books of this period. The Rackham illustrations retain attractive color and detail.

All four color illustrations listed in the book are present, making this copy complete with respect to its color plates. The first color illustration/frontispiece has become detached from the binding but is complete, well preserved, and accompanies the book. The remaining color illustrations are attached and in very good condition. There is visible wear/separation along the inner gutter near the frontispiece and title page.

The scarce original illustrated dust jacket is present, including the front and rear portions, spine and both printed flaps. The original $1.00 price remains intact.

The jacket is in poor but substantially complete condition and has separated into several pieces. It shows extensive age-related edge wear, chipping, tears and areas of paper loss, particularly around the spine ends and extremities. Despite its fragile condition, the wonderfully decorative front panel remains highly presentable, much of the illustrated spine survives, and the printed flaps provide valuable original publishing information.