Description:

Charles Dickens
Paris, France, December 3, 1855
Charles Dickens ALS Sending "Little Dorrit" to Opera Singer
ALS

An autograph letter signed by Charles Dickens to opera singer, Pauline Viardot. 1p, measuring 5" x 7.5" (sight), [Paris], dated December 3, 1855. Signed "Charles Dickens" and addressed to Madame Viardot on letterhead with a "BD" blind imprint. Dickens writes to her about a new installation of "Little Dorrit" and thanks her for her continued interest in the series. The letter has been matted and framed along with a color lithograph of Dickens to the overall size of 18.25" x 14.5". With flattened mail folds, additional light creasing, and a few very small edge tears. Minor toning throughout. Boldly signed. Certified on back with wax seal, Charles Hamilton Autographs, Inc.

Reading in full:
"Mrs. Dickens tells me that you have only borrowed the first Number of Little Dorrit, and are going to send it back. Pray do nothing of the sort, and allow me to have the great pleasure of sending you the succeeding Numbers as they reach me. I have had such delight in your great genius, and have so high an interest in it and admiration of it, that I am proud of the honor of giving you a moments' intellectual pleasure."

At the time of writing, Charles Dickens was living in Paris and beginning to write "Little Dorrit". Like many of Dickens's novels, Little Dorrit was written in installments. He soon became acquainted with Pauline Viardot (1821-1910), a famed French mezzo-soprano, who he described as "by far the greatest artist of them all". As part of their friendship, Dickens had each part of "Little Dorrit" sent to Mme. Viardot as it was published. Viardot, in turn, would go on to host a dinner party for the special purpose of introducing Dickens to her close friend George Sand.

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: 18.25" x 14.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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