Spectacular, probably unique trust first edition of Dickens Life of Our Lord, originally written simply for use in his family and not published until after his death. This example on fine paper, beautifully printed, and bound in a superb panelled, speckled calf binding. 

Dickens, Charles. The Life of Our Lord. Written Expressly for His Children. With a Forward by Lady Dickens. London. Associated Newspapers Ltd. 1934 First Edition. 127pp.

Beautifully produced with full page illustrations by / after Holman Hunt, Jalabert, Raphael, Ford Maddox Brown, Leonardo Da Vinci, De Munkacsy, Kehren, etc.  In addition to the illustrations, there are also facsimiles of Dickens' handwritten first page and the last page of the original manuscript.

WRitten originally in 1849, but never published, we are told Dickens frequently told his children the Gospel Story, and made mention of the Divine Example in his letters to them. This Life of Our Lord was written without thought of publication, in order that his family might have a permanent record of their father's thoughts on Christ. After his death, this manuscript remained in the possession of his sister-in law, Miss Georgina Hogarth. On her death in 1917 it came into the possession of Sir Henry Fielding Dickens. Charles Dickens had made it clear that he had written 'The Life of Our Lord' in a form which he thought best suited to his children, and not for publication. His son, Sir Henry, was averse to publishing the work in his own lifetime, but saw no reason why publication should be withheld after his death. Sir Henry's will provided that, if the majority of his family were in favor of publication, 'The Life of Our Lord' should be given to the world. 

The binding, almost certainly a presentation, is blended speckled and clear brown calf, raised bands with three contrasting labels on spine, elaborately tooled on spine and boards. Foredges of boards are tooled, as are dentils. Marbled endpapers, liquid gold gilt page edges finish this lovely off. 

A few minor scrapes to binding. A light wax polish will likely take care of 90% even of those minor blemishes.