[Literature] Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities

London: Chapman and Hall, 1859. First edition in book form, first issue. 8vo. Without 32 pp. ads at rear found in some copies. Illustrated with an etched frontispiece, etched vignette title-page, and 14 etched plates by Hablot Knight Browne. Publisher's deep red cloth, stamped in blind and in gilt, expertly recased, soiling and rubbing to boards and extremities, spine faded and rubbed; all edges trimmed; endpapers renewed; light foxing to prelims; A3-4 unopened; foxing to plates; scattered soiling and foxing to text; small circular stains at bottom of L4-6, similar stain center M5-6; vertical tear in gutter of N5 traversing near length of sheet; some offsetting from plates; repaired closed tear in upper gutter of N2; bookbinder's ticket at bottom of rear paste-down (Harrods Ltd., London). Smith I, 13; Hatton & Cleaver, p. 333; Eckel, pp. 86-87

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair..."

A handsome first edition in book form in the original cloth of Dickens' perennially popular work of historical fiction set during the French Revolution. Originally published in 31 weekly installments in Dickens's literary periodical, All the Year Round, from April-November 1859, and in eight monthly parts, from July-December, 1859. This book form edition was published on November 21, 1859.

From the private library of Dr. David L. Harrar II, Sunnyvale, California

[Literature] Dickens, Charles. A Tale of Two Cities