The Original Bah Humbug

I love to re read the Christmas Classic " A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens at this time of year as it really evokes the Spirit of Christmas in me. Last year, during  my Countdown to Christmas posts, I mentioned a wonderful copy of this book which I managed to find in our local charity shop a couple of years ago. We were decorating the dining room this time last year and all our books had been packed away so I could not show you all. As all our books are now back in their rightful place I can now  show you this wonderful copy I own. It is a small book, only 4 1/2 " by 6 1/2" (or 11cm by 17cm for my metric minded readers!)

It still has it's original dust wrapper, which is a little dog eared, but in great shape for its age.

Dickens's obviously wanted to plant a seed of thought in us all at this time of the year as this is the preface he wrote;

"I have endeavoured in the Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my reader out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it."

A Christmas Carol was first published just before Christmas 1843. My edition  was published in 1945 in time for the first Christmas after the war. It is printed on economy paper which is explained on the fly leaves. This edition reproduced the original illustrations by John Leech.

The illustrations are so gorgeous. There are not many, just a few colour plates and some line drawings.

This is one of my favourites when Marley visits Scrooge and warns him of the 3 Spirits who will visit that night.

and here is one of the line drawings of Scrooge.

I love this one of the reformed kindly Scrooge after he has seen into his future and decided to mend his ways!










And of course those final words which I can recite....bless Tiny Tim!

I think this book strikes a chord with most of us at this time of the year.

In the words of C.D

..it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.
May that be truly said of us, and all of us!


How I agree........I try to  keep Christmas well and this little book does indeed "Haunt my house pleasantly"!

Only 12 days left now...........the clock is really ticking on. I am sure you would all like to see if Billy is still flat out, as he was in my last few posts ......

Good grief he has stirred from his slumbers........I wonder what he is waiting for?

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x