First Edition, First Issue with the Fireside plate. Walter E. Smith explains the bibliographical details in Charles Dickens in the Original Cloth: “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 (“Rose Maylie and Oliver” [the final plate in vol. III])... Dickens had Cruikshank design a new plate [the Church plate] which retained the same title ... 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 these objections prior to publication and the plate and title page were changed between November 9 [publication date] and 16.”
3 volumes, 8vo. Original reddish brown fine-diaper cloth, yellow endpapers. 24 etched plates by George Cruikshank. Part of cloth repaired, hinges tweaked. Overall a very good copy of this desirable title.
