Description:

Charles Dickens
Kent, England, September 19, 1848
Charles Dickens 1848 ALS Slamming The American Literary Scene PSA Encapsulated NM 7 Including Original Transmittal Envelope
ALS

Charles Dickens autograph letter signed rejecting an American literary proposal. 3pp of a bifolium, measuring 8.75" x 7" unfolded, Broadstairs, Kent, dated September 19, 1848. Signed "Charles Dickens" and addressed to C. W. Holden Esquire in New York. Dickens firmly declines a proposal for a lecture tour in the United States, citing unacceptable literary property rights. The letter contains several contemporaneous corrections in Dickens's hand. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope, on mourning stationery. The back of the envelope has Dickens's wax seal visible on verso. The letter has been PSA/DNA graded NM 7 and encapsulated to the overall size of 9.75" x 13.25". With flattened mail folds and faint soiling. Boldly signed. The transmittal cover has expected wear and soiling.

In full:

"Sir, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the eighth of last month and forwarded to me here, during a short absence from London. I have given your proposal every consideration, but I regret to add that I cannot entertain it. I do not see my way to any literary arrangement in America, which is made dependent on any kind of contingency. Nothing but a proposal to pay to me, beforehand, and in this country, a certain sum of money for a certain undertaking and performance on my part, would remove the many otherwise insuferable [sic] obstacles that arise in my mind out of the distance between the two countries, and their several states of law and feeling in reference to literary property. I am not the less obliged to you for your offer and remain, Sir, Charles Dickens."

Charles W. Holden was a publisher of "Holden's Dollar Magazine of Criticisms, Biographies, Sketches, Essays, Tales, Reviews, Poetry, etc.", a popular New York monthly magazine. He had invited Dickens to lecture in America, but Dickens, not happy with copyright laws in America, as they did not protect the author's works, declined Holden's invitation. Dickens often found himself declining invitations due to "the defective and shameful state of the law of copyright as between different countries".

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: 14" x 16"
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