3 volumes, 8vo (153 x 119 mm). Half-titles, 3 wood-engraved frontispieces after Francis W. Topham, 1p. publisher's advertisement at the end of each volume. (A few tiny spots, intermittent light marginal toning, a few short tears not affecting text.) Original red-brown blind-stamped cloth, upper covers with gilt vignette after Topham, marbled edges (spines sunned, slight wear, some minor staining); slipcase. Provenance: Various signatures and bookseller's descriptions or tickets.

FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM, FIRST ISSUE, with advertisements in the first state and all the first issue points called for by Smith, except for the following: "whom" is correct in line 5 of p.[v] in vol. I (Smith states it "may" be missing); "A" is fully printed in the headline on p. 42 in vol. I as in all but one copy; "6" is present in the page number on p. viii Chapter XXV in vol. II (Smith states it "may" be missing); the protective tissue is in vol. III only; and "7" is present in the page number on p.287 of vol. III as in all but one copy. First serialized in Household Words between 25 January 1851 and 10 December 1853, each volume of this book edition was published separately around Christmas (in 1851, 1852 and 1853) but postdated the following year. The Child's History expresses an anti-aristocratic and anti-monarchical view of English history and society. Eckel (1972), pp. 128-130; Gimbel A128; Smith II: 10.