In Original Cloth
Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress.
London: Richard Bentley, 1838.
Price: $12,500.00
About the item
Cruikshank, George. First edition, first issue, earliest title page with “Boz,” with Fireside plate opposite p. 313 in vol. III. 24 etched plates by George Cruikshank. Ad leaf present at beginning of vol. III. 3 vols. 8vo. Original brown cloth, decoratively blind stamped on boards; stamped in gilt on spine; some minor bumping and edge wear; light water stain to rear board of vol. I and front of vol. II; small bookplate on first pastedown endpaper of each volume, with ownership signature on title page of vol. I; very light foxing to interior pages, with additional toning to plate pages; held in brown cloth box. Smith pp. 30-37.
Item #375243
Dickens' second novel was intially published in monthly installments in Bentley's Miscellany from February 1837 to April 1839, with each issue featuring an illustrative etching by George Cruikshank. Richard Bentley, the owner of the Miscellany, printed the three-volume first book edition six months before the series' end, but instead of using Dickens' name, employed the author's pseudonym, "Boz," which is present here on both the book spines and title pages.
Half-titles in vols. I and II, as issued; terminal ads in vol. I; initial advertisement leaf in Vol. III. First state of volume III with "pilaster" instead of "pier" or "pedestal" on page 164, and the Fireplace plate opposite p. 313 in vol. III.
