Books

1839: Richard Benley, New Burlington Street. Second Edition. Second Edition. Three Volumes. 8vo. 331 + [4, ads]; 307; 315 pp. Original reddish-brown horizontally-ribbed cloth, front and rear covers with an arabesque design stamped in blind, spine panel lettered. Frontispieces in each volume, 24 superb engraved plates by George Cruikshank. With later "Church" plate as the original "Fireside" plate was withdrawn by Dickens. A nice set of the Second Edition, issued very shortly after (see below), and in the same format as the First Edition. Moderate foxing to the plates, sometimes appearing on back of printed illustrations as often seen, spines and edges of covers lightly tanned and slightly marked; a very good, clean set in the original cloth, completely unrestored. A desirable set in this condition. The First Issue of the First Edition of OLIVER was published on November 9, 1838 while the Second Edition" was issued December 17, 1838, just over a month later. The title-page was…

Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy's Progress is Charles Dickens's second novel, and was first published as a serial from 1837 to 1839. The story centers on orphan Oliver Twist, born in a workhouse and sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker. After escaping, Oliver travels to London, where he meets the 'Artful Dodger', a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal Fagin.