or, the Parish Boy's Progress. By "Boz".
London, Richard Bentley, 1838
First edition, first issue. The first edition, first issue of Charles Dicken's (1812-1870) second (and arguably his most famous) novel Oliver Twist. Published six months prior to the completion of the story in serial-format in Bentley's Miscellany, this 1838 edition marked the first time that Dicken's full work appeared in print.
This first issue carries the 'Fireside' plate, the last illustration in vol. III, facing p.312. 'When Bentley decided to publish Oliver in book form before its completion in his periodical, Cruikshank had to complete the last few plates in haste. Dickens did not review them until the eve of publication and objected to the Fireside plate... Dickens had Cruikshank design a new plate which retained the same title and showed Rose and Oliver standing before the tablet put up in the church to the memory of Oliver's mother. This Church plate was not completed in time for incorporation into the early copies of the book, but it replaced the Fireside plate in later copies...' (Smith, Charles Dickens in the Original Cloth, vol. I, p.35).
First edition, first issue; 3 vols, 12mo (19.5 x 12.5 cm); 24 etched plates (including frontispieces) after George Cruikshank, including 'Fireside' plate, one plate trimmed and 2 with small stains in margins, 'Fireside' and one other plate with repairs at foot; lacking half-titles, list of plates and advertisements, small area of toning to lower-right corner of vol. II pp.213-255, occasional spotting throughout; recent green crushed half morocco for Sotheran, green cloth, gilt panelled spines, top edge gilt, preserved in cloth slipcase, case with minor discolouration and wear to corners.
Eckel 59; Gimbel A27; Smith I, 4; Sadleir 696.
This first issue carries the 'Fireside' plate, the last illustration in vol. III, facing p.312. 'When Bentley decided to publish Oliver in book form before its completion in his periodical, Cruikshank had to complete the last few plates in haste. Dickens did not review them until the eve of publication and objected to the Fireside plate... Dickens had Cruikshank design a new plate which retained the same title and showed Rose and Oliver standing before the tablet put up in the church to the memory of Oliver's mother. This Church plate was not completed in time for incorporation into the early copies of the book, but it replaced the Fireside plate in later copies...' (Smith, Charles Dickens in the Original Cloth, vol. I, p.35).
First edition, first issue; 3 vols, 12mo (19.5 x 12.5 cm); 24 etched plates (including frontispieces) after George Cruikshank, including 'Fireside' plate, one plate trimmed and 2 with small stains in margins, 'Fireside' and one other plate with repairs at foot; lacking half-titles, list of plates and advertisements, small area of toning to lower-right corner of vol. II pp.213-255, occasional spotting throughout; recent green crushed half morocco for Sotheran, green cloth, gilt panelled spines, top edge gilt, preserved in cloth slipcase, case with minor discolouration and wear to corners.
Eckel 59; Gimbel A27; Smith I, 4; Sadleir 696.
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