“PLEASE, SIR, I WANT SOME MORE”: FIRST ISSUE OF OLIVER TWIST

DICKENS, Charles. Oliver Twist; Or, the Parish Boy's Progress. By "Boz." London: Richard Bentley, 1838. Three volumes. Octavo, early 20th-century full tan polished calf, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, raised bands, maroon and dark green morocco spine labels, all edges gilt. $7800.

First edition, first issue, of Dickens’ classic, with the “Fireside” plate and “Boz” title pages, beautifully bound by Morrell.

"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 [Volume 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 these objections prior to publication and the plate and title page were changed between November 9 and 16" (Smith, 35). Bound without half titles or publisher's ads. Smith 4 (especially note 3). Eckel, 51-60. With imprint trimmed from bottom of plates; Smith states, "In any of the volumes, some of the illustrations may have the imprints trimmed off." Each volumes with "Bound by Morrell for John Wanamaker" in small print on the verso of the front free endpaper.

Text very clean, plates a bit darkened as usual. Bindings bright and fine with slight scratch to front board of Volume I. A beautifully bound copy.