Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy's Progress

London: Richard Bentley, 1838 Three volumes. Illustrated with twenty-four steel-engraved plates by George Cruikshank. First edition in book form, second issue, with "Charles Dickens" replacing "Boz" on title pages, and "Church" plate replacing "Fireside" plate in Vol. III. First state of Vol. III, with "pilaster" to p. 164, line 13, and 2 lines up. With nearly all of the first issue points to text. With half-titles and advertisements. Publisher's reddish-brown cloth, with arabesque design stamped in blind to front and rear boards, spines lettered in gilt, with four sets of blind-stamped bands, and yellow coated endpapers. Very good set, with light toning (truncated) to spines and edges, light rubbing to boards, edges of boards lightly bumped here and there, some repair to spines, some spotting to plates, a small burn hole to half-title page of Vol. II, and "H. J. Harvey" bookplates to front pastedowns. Overall, a sturdy set in the original cloth. Smith I, 4. Published shortly after the enactment of the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, which mandated that state poor relief would only be given to workhouse residents, Oliver Twist served as a vehicle for Dickens' criticism of the effects of poverty left unabated. Specifically, this novel tells the story of poor, orphaned Oliver Twist who is drawn into the dark worlds of child labor, petty crime, and life in the London slums. The book features some of Dickens' most colorful characters, including Fagin, the Artful Dodger, Bill Sykes, and Nancy. The book has received many film adaptations over the years, including David Lean's classic 1948 version starring John Davies as Oliver and Alec Guinness as Fagin, and the 1968 musical film Oliver!, which won six Academy Awards and was itself adapted from the same-titled 1960 Tony Award-winning musical.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good. Illus. by Cruikshank, George. (Inventory #: CD178)