1838 Oliver Twist 3 Vols 1st State Charles DICKENS Signed Letter Gads Hill Paper

London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street. For full description see below - after all photographs. First Edition, First Issue with Boz on the title pages (replaced with Charles Dickens in later states) and with the Fireside plate (later replaced with the Church plate). Including a tipped in Autograph letter SIGNED by Charles Dickens to a Mr Couchman, to the front end-paper of Vol I. "Please to ease the coach house doors, and to put up some pegs agreeably to George Belcher's directions". With address leaf (" Mr Couchman "), 1 page, written in turquoise ink, with several ink-smudges along right-hand edge (evidently made by Dickens himself), engraved heading, some foxing and light staining, 8vo, Gad's Hill, 5 November 1868. The recipient, John Couchman, was a carpenter and undertaker hailing from 1 High Street, Strood. He was employed by Dickens in making extensions to Gad's Hill. He himself recorded:'Mr Dickens was always very straightforward, honourable, and kind, and paid his bills most regularly.

The first work I did for him was to build a dog-kennel; I also put up the châlet at Gad's Hill' this being the famous summer-house, where Dickens was at work writing Edwin Drood the day he died see W. Teignmouth Shore, Charles Dickens and His Friends, 1909. George Belcher was Dickens's servant, who had been taken on that year. Published in the Pilgrim Edition of Dickens's letters.

Oliver Twist; or, the Parish Boy's Progress. First edition, first issue, with the title-page authorship credit to "Boz" instead of Dickens and with the "Fireside" version of the final plate. Three octavo volumes approximately 7 ¾ x 5 inches; 19.5 x 12.8 cm. Volumes I and III in twelves (gathering of twelve pages), volume II in eights (gathering of 8 pages). Walter E Smith wrote an authoritative bibliography on all of Dickens works and these volumes have been compared to his collation. Vol I [ii Smith states iv this volume lacks the half title], [1], 2-331, [lacking 4 pages of advertisements as is often the case when books are rebound], all other first edition points are present save the Bentley imprint at the base of the illustrations which have been trimmed historically. Vol II [ii Smith states iv this volume lacks the half title], [1], 2-307, [308]; all other first edition points are present (including for example, on page 151 a gap between the r and unning see photos, and Chapter XXIX printed XXVIX) save 2 points and the Bentley imprint at the base of the illustrations which have been trimmed historically. Vol III [ii Smith states iv this volume lacks the advertisement on page I and blank ii], [1], 2-315, [316]; all other first edition points are present (including for example, on page 182 mattrass for mattress) save all points on which Smith states may be missing or in some copies and 1 other point, and the Bentley imprint at the base of the illustrations which have been trimmed historically. Vol I A2 (lacking A1 half title), B-O (gatherings of 12), P 1-10, lacking P11 and P12 (the advertisements).

Vol III A2 (lacking A1 advertisement), B-F (gatherings of 12), G (gathering of 2), H-P (gatherings of 12). B5 to E5 signed incorrectly B3 to E3 as called for in Smiths collation. Vol III is printed on the first page of each new signature as called for.

Lacking the half titles and advertisements to all volumes which, when books were rebound in leather, often were removed. No half-title called for in Volume III but replaced with an advertisement (lacking in this set). Twenty-four inserted plates by George Cruikshank (Vol I 9, Vol II 7, Vol III 8).

With all but three of the firm (not the may be or in some copies points) first issue points as stated by Smith. For this novel, Dickens's first in the standard three-volume form, Bentley divided the printing task between two firms: Volume I was printed in a twelvemo format by Samuel Bentley; Volume II in octavo format by Whiting; and Volume III preliminaries and signatures A-F and probably G by Whiting with the remaining text by Samuel Bentley, again in twelvemo format. The three-decker publication date was 9 November 1838, and within a week, at Dickens's insistence, the title-pages were changed to include his name, and the "Church" version of the final plate replaced the "Fireside" ("Rose Maylie and Oliver") version which denotes the true first printing and is present in this volume. Approximately 7 ¾ inches tall.

Spine good condition new spine 5 raised bands, gilt titles to red labels. Page edges good condition darkened.

Paste downs good condition new. End papers good condition new, Dickens letter tipped in. Title good condition tanned with foxing and marks.

Pages fair to good condition tanned and foxing, folded pages and marks throughout. Publication Date: 1838 Binding: Hardback. We take great pride in photographing all our books, maps and prints and in describing every detail.

Ruler in picture is 6 inches long. Please Browse all other books and prints in my Shop. Preserving books for the next generation.

The item "1838 Oliver Twist 3 Vols 1st State Charles DICKENS Signed Letter Gads Hill Paper" is in sale since Thursday, November 8, 2018. This item is in the category "Books, Comics & Magazines\Antiquarian & Collectable". The seller is "allright88" and is located in Andover.

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Author: Charles Dickens
Fiction Subject: Classic Literature
Language: English
Binding: Fine Binding
Year Printed: 1838
Special Attributes: Signed
Place of Publication: London
Original/Facsimile: Original
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Region: Europe
Illustrator: George Cruishank
Personalised: Yes
Original/Reproduction: Original
Modified Item: Yes
Modification Description: Signed letter tipped in
Signed: Yes