Rare first edition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ up for auction

By Tom Bevan

A rare first edition "A Christmas Carol" is being sold at auction.

The highly sought-after early copy of Charles Dickens’ festive masterpiece is going under the hammer in Bath and is expected to sell for thousands of pounds.

The book, a First Edition, Second Impression, is being sold by Auctioneum on January 19th.

Auctioneer Andrew Stowe said: "A Christmas Carol is one of the most famous stories in the world.

"To have a first edition is incredibly special. It’s the very genesis of a story that is known all around the world.’"

It features the iconic original illustrations by John Leech, including the four hand-colored engravings that brought Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas to life for the Victorian public.

A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, to give it it’s full title, was a phenomenal success from the moment it hit the shelves, with the first edition selling out by Christmas Eve 1843.

This second impression was rushed to print just days later to meet the insatiable public demand.

Collectors prize these early editions for their historical proximity to Dickens’ original vision and the high-quality production values of the era.

Andrew added: "It’s not just a book; it’s a cultural artifact that defined the modern Christmas. Given its ties to one of the most beloved authors in history, we expect significant interest from both local and international bidders.

“Dickens’ use of the term ‘Merry Christmas’ in the story really popularized its usage with his Victorian audience. To hold something so fundamentally ‘Christmas’ is spellbinding."

A Christmas Carol goes under the hammer at Auctioneum Ltd in Bath on January 19th in their Books And Works On Paper Auction. It carries a pre-sale estimate of £1,000 to £2,000.

The full catalogue can be found on their website auctioneum.co.uk.