Books

London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, 1838. 1st Edition. Leather. Very Good. George Cruikshank. 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall. 3 volumes. First issue of the 1st edition. 12mo., [Vol.1]331; [Vol.2] 307; [Vol.3] 315pp., illustrated with 24 frontispieces and plates. Bound in full morocco, with boards single lined in gilt. The six compartment spines are decorated with a five leaf flower in each compartment, and title and volume number in gilt. Edge dentelles. a.e.g. Tips very lightly rubbed. Spines sunned, with joints lightly rubbed. Some loss of gilt to the spine's lettering. New paste downs and added end papers. Each volume's title page, and volume 1's half title page have been stamped with an oval stamp. These stamps show signs of having been attempted to be erased. It is my belief, when coupled with the new paste downs and end papers, that this set was formerly an ex-library set, with an attempt to remove all library markings. Each volume contains a laid in slip showing it…

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.

First editions of 'Oliver Twist' can be identified by their three volumes published by Richard Bentley in 1838, featuring 24 steel-engraved plates by George Cruikshank and no mention of the author’s name on the title page. Subsequent editions after Dickens’s death may also include his name as the author.