OLIVER TWIST; or, The Parish Boy's Progress.
Paris: Published by A. and W. Galignani & Co., 1839. 1st edition thus. [4], 367, [1 (blank)] pp. 8vo. 8-7/8" x 5-3/8". Period half vellum binding with marbled paper boards. Black leather spine label. General wear. Foxing. 1892 newspaper article [The Origin of the Artful Dodger] affixed to front paste-down. Last leaf of text beginning to detach at top. Withal, a VG copy. Item #12964.1
For many years, it was thought the 1846 Bradbury & Evans edition was the first 'octavo' edition (cf. Eckel, p. 62). This Galignanai edition obviously deserves consideration for that appellation, though it's scarcity undoubtedly contributed to the 1846's notation as such in the Dickens' literature. Not in Eckel, Gimbel, or VanderPoel.
Price: $350.00