Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Fine
Edition: First Edition
Size: 16mo
Publisher: Bradbury and Evans, 1845, London
Illustrator: Illustrated by Leech, Doyle, MacLise, Landseer, Doyle

[Book #12739]

A most attractive First Edition, Second State with second state of advertisement (added heading “New Edition of Oliver Twist” followed by three-line italic heading). 14 illustrations by Leech, Maclise, Doyle, Stanfield, and Landseer. Title page postdated 1846 but book published December 20, 1845. Original red cloth gilt and blind-stamped, all edges gilt binding. Gold fireplace centered on cover, spine stamped in gold with cricket/holly motif. <1>-174 text with imprinting centered at foot of p. 174, <175, 176> advertisements. (the monthly parts of Oliver Twist on p. <175> and nine works by Dickens, as well as his portrait on p. <176>) The three chapters (chirps) are untitled and located on pp. <1> <54> and <114>. Internal flaws present: p. 10, line 7 "your's"; P. 82, line 11 shows single quote only before "Halloa" ; p. 98, 3 lines up, "faultered" old spelling and also p. 121, line 12 "controul" and p. 133, line 3 "stedfast"; p. 105, line 3 "i" in "in" large and bold; pp. 110-113 battered "1"; p. 119, line 9 "her's"; p. 121 last "1" in page number battered and p. 167 last "l" in "comfortable"; p. 172, lines 9 and 12 close spacing of words in line. (Smith, pp. 41-43) Fine condition with very minor bumping to spine and light marginal toning to text block;

In the third of five Christmas Books by Charles Dickens, and the most popular, a cricket chirps on the hearth, acting as guardian angel for two small, struggling families whose lives are intertwined. In true Dickens' fashion, Christmas spirit conquers the Miser Mr. Tackleton, who becomes a better man for it all