London, Apr 1: A rare self-signed first edition copy of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist is expected to fetch 150,000 pounds in an auction on April 2.

This three-volume tome makes part of a collection of around 200 Dickens treasures owned by Hollywood TV mogul William E Self.

The book is signed: "William Harrison Ainsworth Esquire, from his sincere friend, Charles Dickens," reports the Mirror.

Ainsworth met Dickens in Manchester in 1834 and the duo became very close friends soon after.

The auction will be held at Christie's in New York and would bring in more than 1 million pounds in total. (ANI)