DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870). Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress. London: Richard Bentley, 1838.
3 volumes, 8vo (200 x 121 mm). Half-titles and publisher’s ads in Vols. I and II, 24 plates by George Cruikshank including the “Fireside” plate (“Rose Maylie and Oliver”). Full early 20th century tan calf, gilt-ruled frames and cornerpieces, spines in 6 compartments with raised bands, red and green leather lettering-pieces gilt in 2, others completely gilt, top edges gilt, gilt dentelles, stamp-signed by Tout (spines gently darkened, some rubbing along joints, small split to front joint of Vol. I).
FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE of Dickens’s second novel with the suppressed “Fireside” plate in Vol. III and authorship ascribed to “Boz” on each title-page. “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). Eckel, p. 51; Gimbel A27; Smith I:4.