Dickens, Charles (1812-1870) Set of four Christmas books bound by Rivière.
Four octavo volumes: uniformly bound in full red polished gilt-decorated calf by Rivière with patterned gilt turn-ins, red marbled endpapers, all edges gilt; publisher's cloth covers and spines laid down and bound-in at rear of each volume (all volumes trimmed; residue from spines, joints starting); together in a custom slipcase; 6 1/4 x 3 7/8 in.
1) The Chimes. London: Bradbury and Evans for Chapman & Hall, 1845 [i.e. 1844]. First edition; first state of vignette title, half-title; etched frontispiece and additional illustrated title by F.P Becker after Daniel Maclise, numerous woodcut illustrations by Groves, W.J. Linton, C. Gray, and Dalziel Brothers after Richard Doyle, John Leech and Clarkson Stanfield (a few small spots). Eckel pp. 116-118; Smith II:5.
2) The Cricket on the Hearth. London: Bradbury and Evans for the Author, 1846 [i.e. 1845]. First edition; second state of the Oliver Twist advertisement leaf at rear, half-title; etched frontispiece and additional vignette title by Thompson and G. Dalziel respectively after Daniel Maclise, numerous woodcut illustrations by G. and E. Dalziel, Thomas Williams, John Thompson, J. Swain and Groves after Richard Doyle, Clarkson Stanfield, John Leech, and Edwin Landseer. Eckel pp. 119-120; Smith II:6.
3) The Battle of Life. London: Bradbury and Evans, 1846. First edition; second state of additional vignette title; etched frontispiece and title illustration by John Thompson after Daniel Maclise, numerous woodcut illustrations by G. and E. Dalziel, Thomas Williams and W.T. Green after Richard Doyle, Clarkson Stanfield, John Leech and Daniel Maclise (tiny sporadic spots). Eckel pp. 121-123; Smith II:8.
4) The Haunted Man. London: Bradbury and Evans, 1848. First edition; etched frontispiece and additional vignette title on toned grounds by Martin & Corbould after John Tenniel, numerous woodcut illustrations by various artists. Eckel pp. 124-125; Smith II:9.
