DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870). A group 3 Christmas Books, comprising:

The Battle of Life. A Love Story. 1846. Vignette title-page [Smith's 5th state, second variant, Todd E2], 2pp. advertisements at end. Original red cloth gilt-decorated. Provenance: Walter E. Smith, Bibliographer of Dickens. FIRST EDITION, later issue with the Todd's E2 state vignette title-page, with all but 2 of the first issue internal flaws called for by Smith. Smith II:8 (this copy shown on p.59). -- Another copy bound in 20th-century red polished calf gilt, with original red cloth bound in at end, stamp-signed by F. Bedford (rebacked) of the FIRST EDITION, later issue with the Todd's E2 state vignette title-page, with all but 5 of the first issue internal flaws called for by Smith. Smith II:8. -- The Cricket on the Hearth. A Fairy Tale of Home. 1846 [1845]. Half-title, engraved frontispiece, engraved vignette title-page, and 12 illustrations by Leech, Doyle, Stanfield and others, 2pp. advertisements at the end. Publisher’s red cloth gilt-decorated. Provenance: Walter E. Smith, Bibliographer of Dickens (signature). FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE with the 2-lines above the "New Edition of Oliver Twist" advertisement at the end, and with all but one of the first issue internal flaws called by for Smith. Smith II:6 (this copy shown on p.37). -- Together, 3 works in 3 volumes, all 8vo, all published in London by Bradbury and Evans, all edges gilt, ALL FIRST EDITIONS, condition generally good to very good.