Skip to main content
The Stuart and Mimi Rose Collection /

Charles Dickens

Item 6C

A Tale of Two Cities

1859
First Edition
Presentation Copy

Initially published as magazine installments, A Tale of Two Cities first appeared as a book in 1859. This best-selling Dickens novel famously begins, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….” What follows is a love story about family, friendship, and romance, set in both London and Paris mostly during the French Revolution. This first edition with the author’s autograph inscription was given by Dickens to George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Anne Evans. Dickens had suspected that Eliot might be a woman when she sent him a copy of her first work of fiction, Scenes of Clerical Life, in 1858. The following year, she confirmed her identity when sending him a copy of Adam Bede.

The image shows the title page of
An open antique book titled
Open book displaying a page from

What will you discover next?

Voltaire Candide
Detail from the title page of Voltaire's Candide focusing on a decorative floral emblem is centered beneath the title.

French culture that ultimately led to revolution?

Go To Item 3C

F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby
An open book featuring a handwritten note in black ink on the right-hand page. The note begins with:

Another work featuring fascinating characters and relationships?

Go To Item 13B

Return to Rose Collection
A vibrant, symmetrical collage features historical black-and-white photographs of three individuals encircled with colorful floral patterns. The background is filled with intricate designs of butterflies and geometric shapes in shades of teal, coral, and beige.

Return to the Rose Collection

Visit the Folger to see this object on exhibit

Imprints in Time

Imprints in Time

This special exhibition at the Folger features rare books from the collection of Stuart and Mimi Rose that present literary, cultural, and historical high points.
Through Sun, Jan 5, 2025
Plan your visit
Rose Exhibition Hall