Description:

Charles Dickens
Devonshire Terrace, London, England, May 13, 1851
Charles Dickens PSA Certified ALS Addressed to Guild Troupe Member & Artist, Possibly Related to Upcoming Royal Charitable Performance
ALS

A 1p autograph letter signed by British novelist Charles Dickens (1812-1870) as "Charles Dickens" near the bottom. May 13, 1851. [1] Devonshire Terrace, [London, England.] Inscribed on laid watermarked paper with a black mourning border, once bifold but now bifurcated. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified authentic. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds. A small area of paper abrasion and discrete professional restoration affect a few letters of a few words (the date and salutation) at upper left. Else near fine. The letter measures 4.25" x 7.125" and the slab measures 6.625" x 10.125".

Provenance: Accompanied by an autograph letter signed by "D. Webster," dated November 2, 1933 on "D. Webster / Dealer in Rare Books / Kentish Mansions / London Road / Tunbridge Wells" letterhead mentioning the "Dickens Letter." Sold again in 1975.

Dickens addressed this lovely letter of praise to Francis "Frank" William Topham (1808-1877), an artist and member of Dickens's newly formed amateur theatrical troupe, The Guild of Literature and Art. The theatre company co-founded by Dickens and Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton earlier in the year gave performances for charity, raising donations for struggling writers and artists.

Dickens wrote in full:

"Devonshire Terrace

Thirteenth May 1851

My Dear Topham

I have returned the beautiful design / with which I am charmed / straight to Mr Jenkins, with a short note expressive of my thanks and admiration.

Ever Yours

Charles Dickens

F.W. Topham Esquire."

The "beautiful design" as well as the mention of "Mr. Jenkins" in the letter suggest that Dickens and Topham were discussing ideas for engraved invitation cards. Joseph John Jenkins, a fellow engraver and watercolorist, produced engraved invitation cards to troupe performances. Just three days later, on May 16, 1851, Dickens and The Guild of Literature and Art performed Bulwer-Lytton's comedy "Not So Bad As We Seem" before Queen Victoria, Prince Consort Albert, and other distinguished guests at the London residence of the Duke of Devonshire. £1,000 was raised at the performance.

Dickens would collaborate with Topham in the publication of his "A Child's History of England" (London: Bradbury & Evans, 1852-1854), for which Topham provided frontispieces for the 3-volume set.

1851 was a brutal year for Charles Dickens personally. His father John Dickens (1785-1851) and his 8-month-old daughter Dora Annie Dickens (1850-1851) died on March 31st and April 14th respectively. The letter's mourning border could thus be for either deceased family member.

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: slabbed: 6.625" x 10.125"
  • Medium: ALS

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