Charles Dickens
Schriftsteller, 1812-1870
Dickens ist einer der meistgelesenen Schriftsteller der englischen Literatur. Bereits zwischen 1857 und 1892 verkaufte allein die Verlagshandlung Chapman & Hall (London) 700.000 Exemplare seiner Werke. Zu seinen bekanntesten Werken gehören „Oliver Twist“, „David Copperfield“, „Eine Geschichte aus zwei Städten“, „Große Erwartungen“ sowie „Eine Weihnachtsgeschichte“. In seinen bis heute immer wieder auch verfilmten Werken finden sich oft konkrete Hinweise auf die sozialen Missstände des viktorianischen Zeitalters, etwa durch die beispielhafte Darstellung der kritischen Situation der armen Stadtbevölkerung oder der damals vorherrschenden Sozialstrukturen.
Quelle: Wikipedia
English novelist (1812-1870). Autograph letter signed Charles Dickens". Devonshire Terrace. 8vo. 2 pp. Laid-down, staining from an old mount at the edge.
9.500 €
(60581)
To the composer and performer John L. Hatton, regretting that he has "not the least knowledge of any musical person in America"; adding that he is happy offering testimony to his "merits as an accomplished musician and composer, and as one whom he would much desire to see employed at home here in the lucrative exercise of his knowledge and abilities, as to have no leisure for 'fresh fields and pastures new'". Dickens writes a testimonial on behalf of the composer and performer John Liptrot Hatton, who was about to undertake a tour of the United States: 'In August 1848 [Hatton] first visited America, remaining there until the spring of 1850, when he returned in order to accompany Sims Reeves on a tour; he went again to America in the following September.
His playing and singing were alike admired, and he introduced some of Mendelssohn's music to the Boston public. At no time was he troubled by artistic scruples, and it was often uncertain whether the place allotted to him in the programme would be occupied by one of Bach's fugues or by a comic song of his own composition. It is said that his hearers were delighted with a song called "The Sleigh Ride," in the course of which he produced "realistic" effects by means of bells tied to his leg' (J. A. F. Maitland, DNB). See the Pilgrim edition of The Letters of Charles Dickens, volume 5, 1981, p. 382..
English novelist (1812-1870). Autographed letter signed ("Charles Dickens"). Devonshire Terrace. 8vo. 1 page.
4.500 €
(61543)
In French to Francois Régnier informing that he has not invited Augustin Eugène Scribe for dinner because of his wife's ill health, but hoping that Regnier will visit.
English novelist (1812-1870). Autographed letter signed ("Charles Dickens"). Tavistock House. 8vo. 1 page.
4.500 €
(61544)
To Charles Coote. Dickens gratefully acknowledging Household Songs „...I am happy to see my name in that association, and intend to sit down this evening and hear them all, one after another, from beginning to end“.
novelist (1812-1870). Cheque signed and filled out in the hand of Charles Dickens. London. 183 : 82 mm. 1 p.
3.000 €
(76615)
Part-printed document completed by Dickens, a cheque for Twelfe pounds and 2 shillings to be drawn on the Coutts & Company Bank in London.
Schriftsteller (1812-1870). Sammlung von 9 eigenh. Briefen mit Unterschrift. London, Higham by Rochester, „Devonshire Terrace“, Lausanne „Villa Rosemont“. 8vo. 12 pp.
45.000 €
(81644)
Sieben Briefe an seinen Freund Thomas James Thompson, ein Brief an Thomas Edmund Weller und ein Brief an Christiana Weller, die Dickens sehr verehrte: 27.2.1843: „I am obliged to you for your good-humoured letter; and I beg you to present my regards to your accomplished daughter. Together with this autograph which must be understood to include all manner of good wishes for her, and you, and the Wellers generally. […]“ 15.3.1843: „Secondsight no doubt caught (I see it all), from Donald what’s his name, who came bock agen (deliberate misspelling with Scottish accent of ‘back again’) from that unspellable Glen, and published the news of his arrival so extensively.
Next time you and your bankers, if you will let them have a cheque for the money, payable to Coutts & Cie on account of the Macready Testimonial; you will realise the hearty thanks of the committee, and all other privileges and gratifications to which the subscription entitles you […]“ 14.6.1844. An Frau Christiana Weller: „Let me congratulate you with my whole heart on your brilliant achievements last night. You rose with the occasion nobly. Nothing could have been more successful graceful charming-triumphant in any particular. I felt a pride in you which I cannnot express. i do not write to you therefore with the view of expressing it or giving language to my great delight; but merely to say I cannot do either.“ „Anna was great. I adored her. I refused all comfort afterwards, because I hadn’t sent sent her a bouquet. But writing all day put it out of my heard. It was there several times. Tell her it was Mr. chuzalewit’s omission, not mine’. This appears to be a deliberate misspelling of ‘Chuzzlewit’ as per his character/novel ‘Martin Chuzzlewit’. Perhaps there is a character in the book who pronounces his name as ‘chuzalewit’ and he is speaking in that character’s voice here?“.
engl. Dichter (1812-1870). Eigenhändige Unterschrift auf Albumblatt. ohne Ort und Datum. 65 : 20 mm.
1.250 €
(81858)
Namenszug auf Albumblatt, vermutlich einem Brief entnommen. Beiliegend: Porträtdruck mit Faksimilesignatur.
engl. Dichter (1812-1870). Eigenhändiger Brief mit Unterschrift. Gads Hill Place. Higham by Rochester Kent. 8vo. 1 p. Mit gedruckter Adresse.
3.000 €
(83311)
An seinen Freund, den irischen Verleger Francis Dalzell Finlay. Mit einer Einladung in sein Haus „Any day will suit me; any night […]. My station is Higham, on the North Kent Railway, from London Bridge. […]“
engl. Dichter (1812-1870). Eigenhändiger Brief mit Unterschrift. Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. 8vo. 1 1/2 pp. Gedr. Briefkopf. Das zweite Blatt unterhalb des Textes beschnitten.
3.500 €
(83317)
An seinen Freund, den irischen Verleger Francis Dalzell Finlay. Dickens befand sich auf Lesereise, wo er u.a. seine Weihnachtsgeschichte „A Christmas Carol“ gelesen hatte. Er teilt dem Verleger mit, gerne nach Belfast zu reisen und bitte ihn, ihm beim Kartenverkauf behilflich zu sein.
engl. Dichter (1812-1870). Eigenhändiger Brief mit Unterschrift. London. 8vo. 1 1/2 pp. Gedr. Briefkopf.
3.800 €
(83479)
An den deutschen Musiker Moritz Nabich: „Incessant occupations and the hopeless impossibility of keeping pace with the vast number of correspondents who everyday address me, have rendered it quite out of my power to return an earlier reply to your letter. Even now, I can only beg you not to suppose me insensible of your anxieties or your confidence, when I reply to it that I must excuse myself from acceding to your request. I am not a professional judge of music or musician. I could be of no service to you – and I have as many demands on my time and attention as I can in any reason satisfy. Therefore, I have not broken the seals of your packet. […]“
engl. Dichter (1812-1870). Carte-de-visite. ohne Ort und Datum. 63 : 105 mm.
500 €
(89717)
Seltene Carte-de-visite aus dem Haus „Mason & Co“, das den Dichter im Sitzen bei der Lektüre im Profil zeigt. Rückseitig von fremder Hand beschriftet.
English writer (1812-1870). Photograph Signed ("Charles Dickens / First May, 1868"), albumen print cabinet card portrait. no place. 4 x 5 inches laid down to 4 1/4 by 6 1/2 inch printed board.
15.000 €
(91232)
Rare 4.25 x 6.5 cabinet photo of Charles Dickens in a regal full-length pose, published by J. Gurney & Son in 1867, boldly signed on the reverse in blue ink, "Charles Dickens, First May 1868." Reverse is imprinted: "Carte Impériale by J. Gurney & Son, 707 Broadway, N.Y." In very good to fine condition, with scattered light foxing and soiling to the signed side, and mottling to the image itself. After an initial 1842 visit to the USA, Dickens returned in December 1867 for a second tour. Shuttling between Boston and New York, he conducted over 70 readings of his works and netted approximately £19,000 in royalties.
English writer (1812-1870). Signed carte-de-visite. no place. 62 : 102 mm.
15.500 €
(93493)
Nice Carte de visite of Dickens, his head turned to his left. Photograph by John & Charles Watkins, London. Signed and dated by Dickens „Charles Dickens | To Dr. Muspratt / January 1865“. Signed photographs of Dickens are of the utmost rarity. - Together with a signed carte de visite of the recipient, Dr Muspratt. A remarkable pair of signed photographs. Very rare. Dr James Sheridan Muspratt (1821-1871), Irish born research chemist, lived in Liverpool where his father had an industrial chemical company. He organised a visit to Liverpool by Dickens's amateur theatre company in 1847.
English writer (1812-1870). Autograph letter signed. Devonshire Terrace. 8vo. 2 pp. Mourning border.
8.000 €
(94210)
To Thomasina Ross, translator of "El Buscapié," a pastiche of Cervantes by Adolfo de Castro y Rossi, published in Spanish in 1844 and which deceived many scholars. Dickens looks forward to reading it by the fireside and mentions a portrait of Cervantes that cannot be confused with that of Castro. „I thank you very cordially for your kind recollection of me. I look forward to putting my feet on the fender tonight, and thoroughly enjoying a prodigious cold in the head, and El Buscapie, together.
It is comfortable to see this portrait of Cervantes. It strikes me that the former one must be a true likeness of the rash and miserable man who produced a second part of Don Quixote, and that his unworthy visage has come to be confounded in the mind of some collector with that of our immortal friend. I am very sorry to hear of your father’s indisposition. But it is very pleasant to me to be remember of him, and I hope you will tell him so with my warm regards. […]“.
Schriftsteller (1812-1870). Eigenh. Brief mit Unterschrift. H.M.S. Devonshire. 8vo. 1 p. Doppelblatt.
5.200 €
(94516)
An den namentlich nicht genannten Leutenant Augustus Tracey: „Keep your weather eye on that there Lion figure-head o’yourn, o’Monday, for in case I hoist my pennant aboard o’ the Chartist Flagship, I’m damned if I don’t pour in a broadside on you (in answer to your’n) and rake you fore and aft, you swab! […]“ - Veröffentlicht in: A Companion to Charles Dickens, ed. Paroissien, 2008; stärker angestaubt und mit Faltspuren.
English novelist (1812-1870). Autograph letter signed (in the text). Gads Hill Place. 24.01.1863. 8vo. ½ p. On headed paper.
2.500 €
(60932/BN44889)
"Mr. Charles Dickens presents his compliments to Miss K. Hitchcock and regrets to inform her that his Vita for the Royal Hospital for Incurables has been long engaged". - Dickens had been one of the first high-profile figures to show his support for the Royal Hospital for Incurables (now the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability) by helping to raise funds for its creation in 1854. In 1863 the hospital relocated to its permanent home, Melrose Hall on West Hill, in Putney.
English novelist (1812-1870). Autograph letter signed ("Charles Dickens"). Tavistock House (London). 10.06.1853. 8vo. 2½ pp. on bifolium.
6.500 €
(60938/BN44920)
To Mr. Breach, the proprietor of the Folkestone Inn, where Dickens stayed for three days while travelling to Boulogne-sur-Mer on Sunday, June 12th. Dickens mis-dated this letter as, according to another letter in the VanderPoel Dickens collection (A85) written from Folkestone dated Saturday the 11th, this letter, written on Thursday, would have been the 9th of June. In his letter Dickens asks the proprietor to have a "quiet and cheerful" room prepared for him and his family who plan on coming for the summer.
Dickens was particularly fond of Boulogne as, the previous summer, he had completed two chapters of "Bleak House" while vacationing there. - Minor overall toning; brown spot to upper middle crease. - Provenance: from a Chicago-area private collection..
English novelist (1812-1870). Autograph letter signed ("Charles Dickens"). Windsor. 07.11.1841. 8vo. 2¾ pp. on bifolium.
6.500 €
(60939/BN44921)
To Dr. Frederick Salmon, complaining of some aches and pains. Dickens and his wife went to stay at the White Hart Hotel in Windsor on November 6th, the day after Dickens completed his novel "Barnaby Rudge". The trip was meant to provide some rest and relaxation for Dickens who had completed "The Old Curiosity Shop" and "Barnaby Rudge" back to back, and had recently undergone major surgery. Dr. Frederick Salmon had performed surgery on Dickens in October of 1841 for a fistula of the rectum, a procedure for which Salmon was renowned.
In this letter, Dickens' describes his pain and references the operation with his typical wit, noting "all manner of queer pains were floating about my illustrious person [...] now (but not often) shooting through that region which you have made as tender as my heart [...]". Dickens tells his doctor that he is feeling "immeasurably better" and asks whether Salmon would like to make his follow up visit tomorrow rather than Tuesday. - Light soiling to creases; evidence of removal of wax seal. - Provenance: the Comte Alain de Suzannet Dickens Collection, sold: Sotheby's, London, November 22-23, 1971; latterly in a Chicago-area private collection..
English writer (1812-1870). Autograph letter signed. [London]. 18.12.1849. 8vo. 1½ pp. on bifolium.
6.500 €
(83059/BN54493)
To the English journalist and writer Mark Lemon (1809-70) with congratulations on his play, praising particularly the performance of the English actor James William Wallack (ca. 1794-1864), who dines at his place the following Sunday, a dinner he invites Lemon to join: "Many thanks for the Box, and best congratulations on the Play. It went admirably - rose as it went on - mounted immensely in the third act - and closed in triumph. Howe was not good, but the rest were. Wallack beyond all praise.
I have never seen such a fine, picturesque, splendid piece of melodrama. He really bore the whole play on his shoulders, and did gallant service. I believe he dines here next Sunday at ½ past 5. If so, will you come? No party. I begin to think you live in Australia [...]". - Mounted on backing paper..
English novelist (1812-1870). Autograph letter signed. Tavistock House. 8vo. 1 p. on bifolium.
3.500 €
(86132/BN57043)
To the Irish journalist and writer Robert Bell (1800-67), declining an inviation due to an unpleasant "engagement to dine at Gravesend" that same evening: "I have such an agreeable remembrance of my last very pleasant visit to you, and of my great enjoyment of your hospitality, that I am vexed to be under an engagement to dine at Gravesend next Tuesday. It is, however an engagement - and a grim business one to boot - and you know the reliability of your old manager. (I will be as disagreeable at Gravesend as I possibly can)".
- Charles Dickens stayed at Gravesend from 7 to 15 April to oversee construction works at Gads Hill Place, which he had purchased in 1856. The "grim business" mentioned in the letter was probably in connection with these works. The self-designation as Bell's "old manager" is probably in reference to Dickens' role as director of the famous 1851 charity production of Edward Bulwer-Lytton's comedy "Not So Bad as We Seem, or, Many Sides to a Character". The cast included Robert Bell, Wilkie Collins, Augustus Egg, Mark Lemon, and Dickens himself. - With minor stains..
verkauft
Autograph letter signed ("Ch. D.").
Autograph ist nicht mehr verfügbar
To "My dear Webster": "Wills comes up for ballot at the Garrick on Saturday. If you then go to the Committee, do go vote for him [...]". - On stationery with printed address; paper-framed. The English writer William Henry Wills (1810-80) began a lifelong association with Dickens in 1846 when Wills became one of the sub-editors of the 'Daily News' under him. He later became his secretary. His business capacity was invaluable to Dickens, and he was one of the most intimate of the novelist's friends in later life. - Dickens had bought Gad's Hill Place in Kent in 1856 for £1,790 and lived there until his death in 1870. He was wont to compose his works in a Swiss chalet in the garden. - The picture depicts Dickens in half-length pose.
Autograph letter signed.
Autograph ist nicht mehr verfügbar
To Major Lake: "My difficulty about Friday, is, that I am not sure when my Scotch friend departs from Edinburgh, but I rather think he will not go until Saturday at the earliest [...] I think our only course is, to trust to our better fortune - autumn - and India! Or possibly you may find yourself near Boulogne in the course of the summer [...]". - Folded into envelope with Dickens's monogram in blue within a blue buckler on the flap, the envelope with the embossed supplier's name ("J. SMITH Inventor and Patentee"), addressed ("Major Lake/9 Charles Street/ St.James's"), and signed in the lower left corner by Dickens, postmarked 21st. (sic) April, 1853. The stamp has been removed from the envelope, otherwise all in very good condition. - The editors of the Dickens Collected Correspondence suggest that the recipient might have been Major Edward John Lake (1823-1877) of the Bengal Engineers, a supposition vindicated by Dickens's reference to India in the above. His 'Scotch' guest was John Gordon, a radical Scottish lawyer, who was known to have been in London at that time. This letter was written during the serial publication of Bleak House, the April issue (Part XIV) comprising chapters 43 to 46.
Autograph letter signed.
Autograph ist nicht mehr verfügbar
To the actor, dramatist, and lessee of the Adelphi Theatre, Benjamin Nottingham Webster (1797-1882), confirming their upcoming engagement and mentioning the death of David Roberts (1796-1864).
Cheque signed and filled out in the hand of Charles Darwin.
Autograph ist nicht mehr verfügbar
Part-printed document completed by Dickens, a cheque for Thirty two pounds and 5 shillings to be drawn on the Coutts & Company Bank in London. - Well preserved.
Signed carte-de-visite.
Autograph ist nicht mehr verfügbar
Nice Carte de visite of Dickens, his head turned to his left. Photograph by John & Charles Watkins, London. Signed and dated by Dickens „Charles Dickens | Christmas 1863“. Signed photographs of Dickens are of the utmost rarity. One small impression to the upper border of the image. From the collection of Dr. James Sheridan Muspratt (1821-1871), Irish born research chemist, who lived in Liverpool, where his father had an industrial chemical company. He organised a visit to Liverpool by Dickens's amateur theatre company in 1847.