DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870). Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy's Progress. By "Boz". London: Richard Bentley, 1838.

3 volumes, 8vo (192 x 118 mm). Half-titles to vols. 1&2 with advertisements verso as issued, list of illustrations leaf inserted in vol.1 (Smith notes that only some copies have this); 24 plates including etched frontispieces after George Cruikshank. (Vol.2 title-page discreetly remargined near upper title, repair affecting letters near lower gutter of list of illustrations leaf.) 20th-century polished calf gilt, spines in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, red and plum morocco lettering-pieces gilt in 2, others gilt tooled, all edges gilt, stamp-signed by Tout (some minor rubbing to joints). Provenance: Early ownership signature on vol.1 title; I.A. Burnham Jr. (armorial bookplate).

FIRST EDITION OF THE FIRST ENGLISH NOVEL TO FEATURE A YOUNG CHILD AS A PROTAGONIST. Mixed issue containing almost all the first issue points listed in Gimbel: the "Fireside" plate at p.312 in vol.3, and the authorship ascribed to "Boz" on title-pages in vol.1&2; vol.3 title-page with the canceled title correctly listing Dickens as the author (second issue, Smith's first state with "pilaster" for "pier" on p.164). When Bentley decided to publish Oliver Twist in book format before its completion in Bentley's Miscellany magazine, Cruikshank had to rush to finish the illustrated plates. Dickens didn't review the plates until the eve of publication, and he objected to the "Fireside" plate (present here) which depicted Oliver at Rose Maylie's knee with Harry and Mrs. Maylie gathered around the living room fire. Cruikshank revised the illustration, using the same title ("Rose Maylie and Oliver"), to show Rose and Oliver standing before Oliver's mother's church memorial. The altered plate was used in later issues of Oliver Twist in book form, as well as in the conclusion of the periodical run. Eckel, p.59-60; Gimbel A27; Smith I:4.

DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870). Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy's Progress. By "Boz". London: Richard Bentley, 1838.

DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870). Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy's Progress. By "Boz". London: Richard Bentley, 1838.