A Christmas Carol (1915) by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Arthur Rackham

A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

This edition, published in London by William Heinemann and in Philadelphia by J.B. Lippincott Co., features Arthur Rackham’s atmospheric illustrations, which bring a darker, more gothic tone to the familiar story. Rackham’s work includes 12 color plates and over 20 black-and-white drawings that infuse the tale with eerie mystery and emotional intensity. His depictions of Marley’s ghost, the grim shadows of the future, and the bustling Victorian streets are rendered with both delicacy and drama, emphasizing the supernatural and moral elements of the narrative.

About the illustrator Arthur Rackham:

Arthur Rackham (1867–1939) was one of the foremost figures of the Golden Age of Illustration. His signature style—characterized by intricate pen-and-ink lines, somber color palettes, and fantastical details—perfectly suited the fusion of the macabre and the heartwarming in Dickens’ novella. Rackham’s illustrations often walked the line between whimsy and shadow, making him the ideal artist for stories that explored human frailty and redemption. His interpretation of A Christmas Carol is widely considered one of the most haunting and beautiful ever published.

Recommended for collectors and readers:

• The Night Before Christmas (1931), illustrated by Arthur Rackham – Another holiday classic rendered in Rackham’s magical style.
• Grimm’s Fairy Tales (1909), illustrated by Arthur Rackham – A perfect companion for those who enjoy darker, folkloric storytelling.
• The Chimes (1912), by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Hugh Thomson – Another Dickens holiday tale with finely detailed period illustrations.

Art Gallery: Arthur Rackham – A Christmas Carol, 1915