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Publication

Dickens began Carol in October 1843,^[25] and completed the book in six weeks with the final pages written in the beginning of December.^[26] As the result of a feud with his publisher over the meager earnings on previous novel, Martin Chuzzlewit,^[27] Dickens declined a lump-sum payment for the tale, chose a percentage of the profits in hopes of making more money thereby, and published the work at his own expense.^[26] High production costs however brought him a mere £230 rather than the £1,000 he expected – and needed, as his wife was once again pregnant.^{[27][28][note 2]}

Bound in red cloth with gilt-edged pages,^[25][26] the book was published in London by Chapman and Hall, and released on 19 December 1843.^{[note 3]} Four expensive, hand-coloured etchings and four black and white wood engravings by John Leech accompanied the text.^[26] Production was not without problems. The drab olive endpapers were replaced for the second printing with yellow endpapers, but, once replaced, clashed with the title page which was then redone.^[12][29]

Modestly priced at five shillings,^[26] the first run of 6,000 copies sold out by Christmas Eve and the book continued to sell well into the New Year.^[12][30] By May 1844, a seventh edition had sold out. In all, twenty-four editions ran in its original form.^[31] In spite of the disappointing profits for the author, the book was a huge artistic success with most critics responding positively.^[30]