When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
**INVESTMENT GRADE ANTIQUARIAN VOLUME**
**Rare 1899 Charles Dickens: The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain**
*First Henry Altemus Color-Illustrated Deluxe Edition*
* **Author:** Charles Dickens (1812–1870)
* **Publisher:** Henry Altemus Company, Philadelphia
* **Imprint Date:** Authentic 1899 First State
* **Binding:** Exquisite Art Nouveau full forest green publisher’s cloth, intricately stamped with a sweeping gilt-line framework and a flawlessly preserved pictorial inset landscape painting on the front board.
* **Illustration Status:** Features the coveted, vibrant multi-color frontispiece plate "Putting up the Holly" by legendary Dickens illustrator John Leech, completely preserved behind its original tissue guard protection leaf.
**THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:**
This magnificent specimen represents the pinnacle of late-Victorian decorative gift-book publishing. Originally written as Dickens's final Christmas book in 1848, this rare 1899 Altemus imprint is highly sought after by completionists for its unique, beautifully hand-colorized interpretation of John Leech's original mid-century gothic sketches.
**PROVENANCE & COLLECTOR APPEAL:**
Adorning the front pastedown is a stunning, untouched period Christmas presentation bookplate reading: *"With Best Wishes to Mamie from DeForest."* Rather than detracting from the book, this beautiful piece of original Victorian/Edwardian holiday ephemera anchors the book firmly to its turn-of-the-century heritage, giving it unparalleled shelf presence and historical context.
**PREMIUM CONDITION REPORT (Exemplary Cabinet Specimen):**
* **Exterior:** Excellent antique condition. The green cloth retains its deep, rich pigmentation. The gold gilt framing and spine typography are brilliantly struck and highly reflective. Minimal corner bumping and edge rubbing, vastly superior to the heavily worn examples typical of this flexible binding era.
* **Structural Integrity:** The text block remains tight, flat, and securely anchored to the backstrip. No split hinges, no detached leaves, and no cracked webbing.
* **Interior Pages:** The paper remains remarkably crisp and supple with consistent, authentic age-toning. Free from modern ink signatures, heavy foxing, or thumb-tears. The color illustration plate by John Leech is a true standout, retaining its bold, un-faded pigment layers.
**SHIPPING PROTOCOL FOR INVESTMENT PIECES:**
To match the premium tier of this acquisition, this volume will not be shipped in a standard bubble bag. It will be double-wrapped in archival-grade packing material and shipped inside a rigid, impact-resistant cardboard box via tracked shipping to ensure its structural preservation.
