(London: Chapman and Hall, 1859).

FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE. TALE OF TWO CITIES ranks amongst the most famous works in the history of literary fiction. It is one of only two works of historical fiction by Charles Dickens and stands out from most of Dickens's other novels as the one containing the least humour. That is not surprising, as the historical context of the novel, the French Revolution and Reign of Terror, were a bit bleak to allow for the wackier characters Dickens is known for. This fact has in no way impacted the novel s popularity, it has never been out of print and by the start of the 21th century had sold an estimated 200 million copies worldwide. Item #30440

First edition, First Issue with p. 213 mis-numbered 113 and signature b to the list of illustrations leaf and the required mis-spelling at p. 134. With 16 illustrations by H. K. Browne, including a frontispiece and vignette title page. 8vo, very handsomely bound in antique three-quarter tan calf, the covers with fine marbled paper over the boards, the spine elaborately decorated within panels gilt tooled at the borders and with central gilt ornamental pieces between raised bands, lettered in gilt on contrasting maroon and brown morocco lettering labels, l blue marbled endleaves, a.e.g. viii, list of plates, 254pp. A fine and very handsome copy indeed, the prelims with some browning from long ago.