The Battle of Life: A Love Story (in fine binding)
London: Bradbury & Evans, 1846. First edition. Leather_bound. First edition. 18mo. (4 1/2" x 7") bound In fairly modern fine though plain full red leather with spine lettered in gilt, all edges gilt. Frontis D.Maclise engravings by John Thompson of women dancing around a tree; first title page engraving "The Battle Of Life" "A Love Story" on banners.175 pp. + single page adverts with "Dombey And Son" and "Oliver Twist" recto and list of twelve Dickens' works verso. 11 additional engravings in the text. Fine, bright binding; text is also fine, one very small closed tear in the margin of p. 5. The fourth of the five Dickens' Christmas Books (and the only one without supernatural elements) , a novella set in a quiet English village built on an old battle site that is used as a metaphor for the daily struggles of life. The main characters are two sisters, Grace and Marion, who share each others romantic attachments and complications before a happy ending occurs. Fine. Item #E37014
Price: $150.00