Description:

Charles Dickens
London, England, August 20, 1838
Charles Dickens 1838 3x Signed ALS From Doughty Street, Location Which Inspired "Oliver Twist"
ALS

A historically significant autograph letter from Charles Dickens, dating from the same year in which "Oliver Twist" was published in book form. 1p, measuring 4.5" x 7.25", [London, England], August 20, 1838. Thrice signed, once at conclusion with the writer's usual flourish and again within the first line as "Charles Dickens", lastly within the second to last line as "Mr. Dickens", respectively. Written from 48 Doughty Street, he notably rents a nearby stable and loft room above. Exhibits general soiling and age toning throughout. Slight paper loss to top and bottom right corners, not affecting text. Mounted along the left side edge to the reverse of frontispiece.

The letter is inserted into a first edition, later printing of "The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club", bound by R. Spencer Stationer & Binder of High Holborn. London: Chapman and Hall, 1837. Large octavo, 5.5" x 8.5". 609pp. Featuring 43 illustrations throughout. With contemporary marbled boards and three quarters calf gilt highlighted by red morocco spine label. Expected rubbing to front and back boards, with light to moderate shelf wear. Darkened toning to page edges. Interior shows scattered soiling to illustrated plates, otherwise very good.

Reading in full:
"Memorandum. Charles Dickens copies of 48 Doughty Street Mecklenburg Square agrees to take, and Mr. Robert Amiss agrees to let the premises no. 12 in Doughty Mews consisting of a three stall stable, coach-horse, loft, and room above at the annual rent of twenty pounds payable quarterly. The tenancy commencing from this date, and a quarter's notice to be given on either side previous to its determining Mr. Dickens to pay the rates and taxes."

A 1979 article by scholar David Parker entitled "Mr. Dickens Sets up a Carriage" (The Dickensian, Vol. 75, No. 387, Spring 1979) references the same agreement mentioned above between one Robert Amiss and the writer. Parker argues that, while the residence at 48 Doughty would have undoubtedly had a stable of its own, it remained unused. Therefore, it was only after August 20, 1838 that Dickens acquired a coach and horses in need of stabling. This period notably corresponded with the serial publication of his beloved novel, "Oliver Twist".

Now the site of the Charles Dickens Museum, the location of 48 Doughty Street would have a tremendous impact on the setting and tone of the aforementioned novel. Its proximity to both the Strand Workhouse and the Foundling Hospital makes it easy to see how the story of an orphan could have formed in Dickens' mind. Located a further 10 minutes away was the neighborhood of Saffron Hill, which Dickens describes as "a dirty and more wretched place he [Oliver] had never seen." While it would not have been impossible for the writer to have created the characters and story without having lived in Doughty Street, his exposure to such suffering likely helped to shape its unromantic view of orphan life in the 19th century.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5.5" x 8.5" x 2"
  • Medium: ALS

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