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Charles Dickens. Hard Times. For These Times. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1854....
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$4,000.00
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Description
Charles Dickens. Hard Times. For These Times. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1854.8vo. Original green moiré cloth, ruled in blind on covers, gilt-lettered on spine; red quarter morocco slipcase.
THE BURDETT-COUTTS COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION IN BOOK FORM, IN THE FIRST BINDING. Hard Times was Dickens's tenth novel, first serialized in Household Words, 1 April-12 August 1854. It is the shortest of Dickens's novels and is the only novel besides Great Expectations that was published without illustrations. Baroness Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts was the daughter of radical politician and reformer Francis Burdett. She met Dickens in 1838 or 1839, and they became intimate friends. Dickens worked with her closely on her many philanthropic projects, including Ragged Schools, Urania Cottage and the rehabilitation of low-income housing in Bethnal Green. Baroness Coutts knew of Dickens's marital difficulties and tried unsuccessfully to reconcile the author and his wife.
*Note: "Urania College" amended to "Urania Cottage."
Condition: Touch of wear to extremities; spine just toned; a few tiny scuffs and stains on covers; front hinge starting and rear hinge cracked; otherwise very fine and bright.
Provenance: Baroness Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts (1814-1906), lifelong friend of Dickens (pencil signature on first text leaf; bookplate); Kenyon Starling (bookplate); William E. Self (his sale, Part I, 2 April 2008, lot 149). The Library of a Minnesota Collector.
Auction Info
2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction #6323 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
15th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 6
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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