Books

London: Richard Bentley, 1838. First edition, first issue, with "Boz" listed as the author, and with the "Fireside" plate in vol. III; 3 volumes, 8vo; 24 etched plates by George Cruikshank; the binding on this copy has the Bentley imprint on the base of the spines, thought by Carter to be later than the binding without the Bentley imprint (although Smith found no "consistent association"); this copy does not contain the leaf, listing the illustrations after the title leaf in the first volume, but does contain the half-titles in volumes I and II; and the text exhibits all the textual flaws outlined by Smith; also with the required leaves of ads at the back of volume I, and the single leaf of ads preceding the title in vol. III. Excessive bookseller's notes in pencil on front endpapers and pastedowns, occasional light foxing, some darkening of the plates in the margins, some cracking and restoration to the rear joint on volume I, all three volumes rubbed and worn, the gilt…

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.