Books

London: Richard Bentley, 1838. First edition, first issue. With the 24 engraved plates by George Cruikshank, all a little spotted as usual. 3 volumes. Large 12mo and 8vo., with the terminal 2 leaves of advertisements in Vol. I and the initial advertisement leaf in vol. 3, half-titles present in vols 1 and 2 (not called for in volume 3), original reddish-brown publisher’s cloth (vol. 1 skilfully recased) variant state binding with “London/ Bentley” at the foot of the spines (according to Smith, not a point of any significance), spines lettered in gilt, arabesque blind-stamps to sides. Spines faded, slight chipping to spine ends, a little marking to sides but generally a very good copy and, unusually, in the original cloth.||The first issue with the “Boz” title-pages and the final “fireside” plate. After publication, Dickens objected to both and the second edition has his name author on the titles and the final plate was substituted by the “Church” plate. The printing…

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.