DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870). The Life of Our Lord. London: Associated Newspapers, 1934.

First edition, presentation copy. Signed and inscribed by Dickens’s last remaining grandson to the eccentric millionaire Harmon Spencer Auguste on the front free endpaper: "Henry Charles Dickens / 1934 / presented by him in November 1935 to Harmon Spencer Auguste his old friend, as a token of his very sincere affection.” Dickens had expressly forbidden the publication of this work, having written it in 1846 exclusively for his children. The simply written narrative highlights the moral teachings of Christ, and was read to the Dickens family children every Christmas Eve. It remained a well-kept family secret for more than eighty years. Upon the death of Sir Henry Fielding Dickens, the author’s last surviving son, the family finally consented to its publication. Cloth-bound issue (there was also a deluxe in leather binding). Smith II: 12.

Octavo (233 x 170mm). Frontispiece portrait and ten photogravures illustrating paintings of New Testament scenes. Printed on japanned paper. Original red cloth gilt (very slightly scuffed, spine and upper section of lower board lightly sunned); printed dust jacket with printed title (spine panel toned and a bit chipped at ends, a few edge tears and edge toning). Provenance: Harmon Spencer Auguste, d.1949 (presentation inscription).