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DICKENS, Charles.
Oliver Twist;
or, the Parish Boy's progress. In Three Volumes.
First Edition, First Issue. With the Fireside plate at the end of volume III and "Boz" title pages. "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 which depicted Oliver at Rose Maylie's knee [Vol. III, p. 313]... Dickens had Cruikshank design a new plate... 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. Dickens not only objected to the 'Fireside' plate, but also disliked having 'Boz' on the title page. He voiced his objections prior to publication and the plate and title page were changed between November 9 and 16" (Smith 4). In this copy we have the "Fireside plate", the "Boz" title page, and at the front of volume III the Bentley's Standard Library advert.
3 volumes, octavo. Finely bound by The Chelsea Bindery in full red morocco, titles, box design and raised bands to spine gilt, rule to boards gilt, Dickens portrait blocked to front boards gilt and his signature to the backs gilt, inner dentelles gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Illustrated with 24 plates by Cruikshank. Neat ownership inscription to title pages, some minor foxing to a few leaves, an excellent copy in a fine binding.
