Dickens, Oliver Twist, 1838, first edition, first issue

DICKENS, CHARLES

Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy's Progress. By "Boz". London: Richard Bentley, 1838

8vo (203 x 124mm.), FIRST EDITION, 3 volumes, etched frontispieces and 21 other plates by George Cruikshank, FIRST ISSUE with 'Fireside' plate in volume 3, half-titles to volumes 1 and 2 only (as called for), list of illustrations present in volume 1, 4pp. publisher's advertisements at end of volume 1, 2pp. publisher's advertisements at beginning of volume 3, original publisher's reddish brown fine-diaper cloth, upper and lower covers with arabesque design in blind, lettered in gilt on spine (with imprint), light yellow endpapers, collector's green cloth chemises and green morocco-backed slipcase, some spotting and browning especially to plates, some occasional crudely cut leaves with tears or minor loss, bindings slightly soiled and bumped at extremities, minor split to upper hinge of volume 3

The first issue of the first edition with the "fireside" plate, with the imprint present on the spines.

REFERENCE:

Smith I:4; Eckel pp. 59-62; Sadleir 696; Carter Binding Variants pp. 107-108

PROVENANCE:

John Scott, ownership signature dated December 1838