LOT Nate D. Sanders, Inc.  /  Autograph, "Autographs, Autographed Auction  / 

405

Charles Dickens Twice-Signed ALS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:0.00 USD
Charles Dickens Twice-Signed ALS
"WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS BY THE AUCTIONEER ONCE ALL BIDS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED TO DETERMINE THE WINNER FOR EACH LOT."
Autograph letter twice-signed by Charles Dickens, demonstrating his philanthropic nature and connection to America. Dated 20 December 1869, Dickens writes to the School for the Indigent Blind, referring to himself in the third person as was common at the time. In full, ''Mr Charles Dickens presents his compliments to the Secretary of the Institution for the Blind and begs to say that he has received from America two copies of his story 'The Old Curiosity Shop,' printed in raised letters for the use of the Blind which he forwards as a present to the pupils in St. Georges Fields by train to day. Before Mr Dickens left America on the occasion of his last visit to the States, he left a sum of money with his friend Dr. Howe of Boston to be expended in the production of the Edition of which the two copies in question are a specimen.'' The Dr. Howe to which Dickens refers is the husband of Julia Ward Howe, who ran the Perkins School for the Blind in Boston and was able to print books with raised letters. Dickens paid Howe $1,700 to print 250 copies of 'Old Curiosity Shop' which he donated to several schools for the blind. 4.5'' x 7'' singe-page letter on Dickens' personal stationery, with blue embossing: ''Gad’s Hill Place, Higham by Rochester, Kent.'' Accompanied by 4.75'' x 2.75'' envelope addressed in Dickens' hand, ''To / The Secretary / School for the Indigent Blind / near The Obelisk / St. Georges Fields / London / S.E.'' Postmarked London W.C., 20 December 1869. Monogrammed “C.D.” in blue on back flap. Letter is in near fine condition. Postage stamp cut off from upper right of envelope which is worn; overall good. An outstanding Dickens letter.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot