Christmas: Five Rare Books for Collectors
Robert Frost: A collection of five Christmas Poems for 1953, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1963
A special festive selection of items related to Christmas from various dealers:
* Robert Frost, a collection of five Christmas Poems for 1953, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1963 (New York, Spiral Press, 1953–1963)
Five poetic Christmas cards by Robert Frost, one inscribed, sent by Frost to the poet and BBC broadcaster D.G. Bridson, the last of the Christmas cards arriving at Bridson’s home on the day Frost’s death was announced. From 1934 until his death Frost issued a card every year, but all of the present collection are from the issues printed for Frost himself. From Bernard Quaritch’s Winter Miscellany catalogue
* The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain by Charles Dickens (New York, Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1849)
First US edition, the copy of the bibliographer Walter Smith, with his pencilled ownership signature on the title page. The Haunted Man was the fifth and final Christmas book by Dickens, and was first published in Britain on December 19, 1848. This US edition was published on January 6, 1849. From Peter Harrington.
* A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The 1843, true first edition, first issue signed with a tipped in signed note from Dickens reading "Believe me always". From Bayliss Rare Books.
* The art of garnishing churches at christmas and other festivals by Edward Young Cox (London, Cox & Son, 1869)
The second edition, with revised plates, of a detailed guide to clerical decoration in the festive season by Edward Young Cox (1840-1935), son of tailor Thomas Cox, and heir to the family business, Cox & Son, which for much of the 19th century served as one of the leading church furnishing companies. From Antiquates' Christmas 2025 catalogue.
* The Cultivation of Christmas Trees by T. S. Eliot (New York, Farrar, Straus and Cudahy, 1956)
First US edition of Eliot's Christmas verse, forming part of a collection of poems imagined as Christmas cards, each addressing the Christmas holiday or a seasonal theme. Typography and decorations by Enrico Arno. From Shapero Rare Books.
