First editions in book form. Dickens's history of England for children, "intensely anti-aristocratic and anti-monarchical" (ODNB), originally appeared anonymously in Household Words magazine between January 1851 and December 1853, with the volumes published in book-form in the December of those years, post-dated to the following years. In style, subject and composition, the book differed from all Dickens's other works. Smith II, 10. 3 volumes, duodecimo. Original red cloth, gilt titles and decoration to spine, blind stamped border and gilt pictorial decoration to front board, marbled endpapers and edges. Each volume with the half titles and engraved frontispieces by F. W. Topham. Spines slightly faded, boards to volume II slightly faded. Some foxing on the title pages and frontispiece of each volume but internal pages clean. A very good set.
