OLIVER TWIST

London: Richard Bentley, 1838. Near fine.. Remarkably beautiful first issue of the first edition in book form of OLIVER TWIST, with the rare suppressed "Fireside" plate. Dickens's second novel, OLIVER TWIST, provided the author with an ideal canvas for his most furious and dazzling rages against injustice, against hypocrisy, against poverty, and against base corruption. At its center is the pure and put-upon Oliver, flung from the cruelty of the orphanarium into the viciousness of a den of thieves, surely the most virtuous and long-suffering of all shining Victorian child-saints - at least, of all those who survive the three-volume novels in which they find themselves - and around him orbit a selection some of the most memorable villains in English literature.
The first edition in book form was published before the final installments had yet appeared in serial form, and consequently Dickens objected to Cruikshank's final illustration too late to prevent its inclusion in the first issue; his desired substitution was completed by November 16, 1838, along with certain modifications to the title page (Smith). This copy, while bearing all indications of the first issue, is distinguished by the additional inclusion of the later "Church" plate, likely added during its rebinding. A handsome copy. Three volumes, 8'' x 5''. Full 19th-century brown calf with red and green morocco spine labels and gilt decoration. Top edges gilt. Marbled endpapers. Half-title page to vol. I, Barnaby Rudge advertisement on verso; half-title page to vol. II., "New Works of Fiction" etc. advertised on verso. Title page by "Boz" (Eckel). Podeschi (Gimbel) A27. List of Cruikshank's illustrations on single inserted leaf following the title leaf in vol. I with final plate, "Rose Maylie and Oliver," listed as facing page 313 (Smith). Original "Fireside" plate present, with substituted "Church" plate directly following (in addition to the 24 listed plates, for a total of 25). Small goatskin bookplates to vols. I and II front paste-downs. Modest rubbing to joints, with vol I. joint very slightly cracking at foot (still firm), else binding solid and bright. Interior with very little foxing or soil, exceptionally clean.