[Literature] Dickens, Charles, and Wilkie Collins. A Tale of Two Cities and The Woman in White

In the Original Weekly Numbers and Scarce Original Wrappers

Dickens, Charles
A Tale of Two Cities
London: Chapman & Hall, May 1859-November 1859. In seven volumes. First edition in original 31 weekly numbers, as issued in the monthly parts of All the Year Round (Parts 1-7, comprising Nos. 1-31). 8vo. With "Advertiser" at front and ads at rear of each volume. Publisher's printed limp blue wrappers; front wrapper of first volume detached; loss in bottom corner of rear wrapper of second volume; rear wrapper of third volume detached, loss along spine of same; chipping to spine ends; scattered soiling and wear to wrappers and extremities. Eckel, p. 86

The scarce first appearance of Charles Dickens's classic A Tale of Two Cities, in their original 31 weekly numbers in Dickens's magazine All the Year Round. All the Year Round was the direct successor to Dicken's previous magazine, Household Words, which ceased publication in the wake of Dickens's separation from his wife and subsequent dispute with his publishers, Bradbury and Evans. Hoping to retain readers from the previous magazine, Dickens decided to serialize his new novel, A Tale of Two Cities, beginning in the very first issue of All the Year Round, first appearing on April 30, 1859, and finishing nearly six months later, on November 5. Dickens would go on to release the novel in monthly parts from June-December, 1859, and in book form on November 21, 1859. Scarce in original wrappers.

Together with:

Collins, Wilkie
The Woman in White
London: Chapman & Hall, December 1859-August 1860. In 10 volumes. First edition in original weekly numbers, as issued in All the Year Round (Parts 7-16, comprising Nos. 32-70). 8vo. Edited by Charles Dickens. With "Advertiser" at front and ads at rear of each volume. Publisher's printed limp blue wrappers; loss in upper left corner of Part 11; small loss in bottom edge of front wrapper of Part 14; chipping and wear along spines and extremities; scattered soiling and toning to wrappers; Part 14 lacking pp. 3-6 of front ads; pp. 439/440 in Part 16 nearly separated.

The first appearance of Wilkie Collins's classic mystery-detective novel The Woman in White, in its original 38 weekly numbers (November 26, 1859-August 25, 1860) in Charles's Dickens's magazine All the Year Round. Scarce in original wrappers. Published simultaneously in serialized form in Harper's Weekly in America. The book form editions appeared in New York and in London in August, 1860.

No. 31 (in Part 7) includes both the final installment of A Tale of Two Cities, and the first installment of The Woman in White. Together 16 total volumes.

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

Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

[email protected]267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Literature] Dickens, Charles, and Wilkie Collins. A Tale of Two Cities and The Woman in White

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Literature] Dickens, Charles, and Wilkie Collins. A Tale of Two Cities and The Woman in White

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