OLIVER TWIST; OR, THE PARISH BOY'S PROGRESS by DICKENS, Charles - 1838

London: Richard Bentley, 1838. First Edition, with half-title pages present in volumes I & II; lacking in volume 3, where the advertising leaf appears in lieu of the half-title page, advertisements, and first issue points, including the "Fireside" plate. When Bentley decided to publish "Oliver Twist" in book form prior to the completion of its run in his magazine, George Cruikshank had to complete the last few illustrated plates in haste. Dickens did not review the new illustrations until the night before publication and he objected to plate #8 in volume three (facing page 313), better known as the "Fireside" plate, which depicts Oliver standing by Rose Maylie with Harry and old Mrs. Maylie gathered near the living room fireplace. Dickens had Cruikshank draw a new plate depicting Oliver and Rose standing before a tablet put up in memory of his mother. This plate was subsequently inserted into later copies of the book and also used in the final issues of "Bentley's Magazine." This set has the uncommon "Fireside" plate. Dickens not only objected to the "Fireside" plate but also to having the pseudonym "Boz" on all of the title pages. This set has the earliest "Boz" imprints on all title pages. Later copies have "Charles Dickens" on the title pages. One of Dickens most famous works and in its earliest format and in the original binding, with a mounted photographic plate of Dickens tipped to the rear pastedown of volume three. Small octavos, original brown cloth, covers stamped in blind, spines lettered in gilt. Frontispieces and 21 Etched Plates by George Cruikshank.. A good set with moderate wear & little spotting covers (small marginal tear repaired to frontispiece of volume one, gilt on spines still readable; usual spotting to plates). Very small bookseller's label & ink names of T. Wilson, dated 1838, and Mary Aust, dated 1840, in volumes two and three. Enclosed in a wonderful, custom-made clam-shell box, with the spine designed as three volumes and with a raised-leather depiction of Oliver on the front cover. A lovely presentation for a classic book!