The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain

London: Bradbury & Evans , 1848. First edition. Cloth. Good Only. 7" by 4.5". Various. A first edition of the work by Charles Dickens as the fifth installment in his 'Christmas Books' series. A first edition, first issue of the work, in original publisher's red cloth binding. This edition complies with all the first edition issue points for this work, according to Eckel's bibliography, page 131. With the broken number to page 166 of the novel, which Eckel states occurred during the printing of the first issue, although there is no evidence to show it happened towards the beginning or towards the end of the printing. This is the fifth installment of Dickens' 'Christmas Books' collection, after A Christmas Carol, The Cricket on the Heart, The Chimes and The Battle of Our Life. This novel follows the experiences of Professor Redlaw, a chemist who is being haunted by a ghost who looks exactly like him. Redlaw makes a deal with the ghost to rid himself of the despair that surrounds him, but soon realises that it is a heavy price to pay. Charles Dickens is one of the most popular authors of the Victorian age. His novels show the grimy side of poverty and prosperity in Victorian England, showing poor social conditions to convey a moral message. With 16 illustrations. Collated, complete. With an ink inscription to front endpaper. In original publisher's red cloth binding. Externally a trifle rubbed. Bumping and loss to cloth to the extremities. Spine label partly detached, showing newspaper underneath. Damp staining and occasional mark to boards. Ink inscription to front endpaper. Occasional mark to endpapers. Internally generally firmly bound, a little tender towards the beginning. Pages generally bright and clean, with light age toning. The occasional spot, mainly to first pages. Good Only