Rare Charles Dickens book on show

A rare edition of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens can be seen at Bangor University.

‘Charles Dickens – A Life in Print’ is the current exhibition being held in the Shankland Reading Room at Bangor University’s Main Library to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of the famous author.

The exhibition contains a rare edition of Oliver Twist which was the first book to have Dickens's name on the title page, rather than his pseudonym Boz. The book also includes the famous illustration of 'Oliver asking for more'.

The School of English has also organized a talk, Dickens and His Manuscripts, by Dr Rowan Watson, Curator of Manuscripts, the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, which will be held at 2pm on 23 May in Alun Room 101 in the University's Management Centre.

 During the talk, Dr Watson will show images from the museum’s collections. One of the highlights includes the manuscript of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Dickens's final piece of work.

 Dr Stephen Colclough from the School of English said: “The Dickens exhibition contains many rarities, including the first edition of a book to have his name on the title page- Oliver Twist. It is a brilliantly illustrated book and its vibrant images of Oliver and Bill Sikes are really worth seeing. This exhibition of items from Bangor University Library’s Rare Books collection helps us to recognise Dickens's importance as a journalist, editor and novelist.

 “We are particularly looking forward to the visit of Dr Rowan Watson, who has appeared on several recent TV programmes about Dickens, and will talk about the rare manuscripts found in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collections.”

The exhibition has been organised by Archives and Special Collections with Dr Stephen Colclough of the School of English and is open to the public.

Publication date: 16 May 2012