OLIVER TWIST; OR, THE PARISH BOY'S PROGRESS. In Three Volumes

London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, 1838. 1st Edition. Leather. Very Good. George Cruikshank. 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall. 3 volumes. First issue of the 1st edition. 12mo., [Vol.1]331; [Vol.2] 307; [Vol.3] 315pp., illustrated with 24 frontispieces and plates. Bound in full morocco, with boards single lined in gilt. The six compartment spines are decorated with a five leaf flower in each compartment, and title and volume number in gilt. Edge dentelles. a.e.g. Tips very lightly rubbed. Spines sunned, with joints lightly rubbed. Some loss of gilt to the spine's lettering. New paste downs and added end papers. Each volume's title page, and volume 1's half title page have been stamped with an oval stamp. These stamps show signs of having been attempted to be erased. It is my belief, when coupled with the new paste downs and end papers, that this set was formerly an ex-library set, with an attempt to remove all library markings. Each volume contains a laid in slip showing it was "Purchased at The Old Curiosity Shop; Immortalized by Charles Dickens.", probably in the 1980's. Generally very clean internally, with an occasional blemish or bit of foxing. While very likely an ex-library set, it is still Very Good, in an attractive full leather binding. **** Dicken's second novel. Issue points for first printing: ' By "BOZ" on each volume's title page. The reverse of the half-title leaf from volume one advertises Dickens's new work, BARNABY RUDGE. The presence of "Fireside Plate" in volume 3, indicates a first issue of the first edition. The plate was cancelled in later issues. Note: The three volume set was released before the serial edition was completed.****.