Existing comment:
Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol
London: Bradbury and Evans, 1849; 12th edition
Dickens's prompt copy of A Christmas Carol, from which he gave his public readings, were assembled from pages cut from a trade edition. Its leaves were inlaid into larger octavo-sized leaves, and the whole was then bound in three-quarter red morocco, with front and back covers of marbled paper. This prompt copy contains Dickens's extensive deletions, additions, condensations, clarifications, and directions for vocal expression (in ink and pencil throughout), as well as his bookplate. Shown in the outer margin of page 117 is a note, "Stern Pathos," indicating the tone of voice he should adopt for the passage beginning, "The chimes were ringing..." |