Books

London: Richard Bentley, 1838. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 7.5" by 5". [George Cruikshank]. The first edition, second issue, of Charles Dickens' best known novel, an illustrated work with the original George Cruikshank plates. First edition, second issue, 'Charles Dickens' attributed as the author to the title pages, and with 'Church' plate in Volume 3, replacing the cancelled 'Fireside' plate, and 'pilaster' for 'pier' or 'pedestal' to page 164 Volume III. Complete in three volumes.  Volume I illustrated with a frontispiece, and eight plates.Volume II illustrated with a frontispiece, and five plates.Volume III illustrated with a frontispiece, and seven plates.Collated, lacking one plate, 'Mr. Bumble Degraded in the Eyes of the Paupers'.Bound without half-titles to Volumes I and II, Volume III was issued without half-title, and bound without adverts.As with Dickens' other works, 'Oliver Twist' was first serialised, from February 1837 to April 1839 in 'Bentley's…

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.