Description:

Charles Dickens
London, England, July 2, 1869
Charles Dickens ALS Rejecting a Proposed Manuscript for "All the Year Round"
ALS

An autograph letter signed by Charles Dickens to a hopeful author. 2pp of a bifolium, measuring 4" x 4.75", London, dated July 22, 1869. Signed "Charles Dickens" and addressed to W. H. Alvarez, regretting that the latter's previous communication appears to have been mislaid and that his verses are unsuitable for publication in "All the Year Round". On "All the Year Round" letterhead. With flattened mail folds. Minor toning and soiling throughout. Boldly signed.

Reading in full:
"Sir, I have not the least knowledge of that former communication of yours to which you refer in your letter of the 18th. I can only suppose that some unaccountable mistake arose in the course of the transaction of the business of this office (its correspondence is impossible to be conducted by one person), and can only ask you to excuse it. Allow me to thank you for your book, and to express my regret that the enclosed verses are not adapted to the requirements of these pages. I find no trace here of the receipt of 'A Stumble Over Steeples'."

Charles Dickens began the weekly journal "All The Year Round" in 1859 and continued as its editor until his death in 1870. In it, he published much of his later writing, including "A Tale of Two Cities". Dickens's old friend, W.H. Wills, was assistant editor from the magazine's inception, however, in 1868, while Dickens was on a reading tour of America, Wills was badly injured in a hunting accident and forced to retire from active work. Dickens now had to take full responsibility for the editorial work of "All The Year Round" and look after the business side as well. From this letter, it is clear that Dickens had a difficult time managing all of the affairs of the magazine.

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: 4" x 4.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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