Auction Date:2010 Apr 14 @ 10:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Third-person ALS, signed in the text as both “Mr. Charles Dickens” and “Mr. Dickens,” one-page, 4.5 x 7, Gads Hill Place letterhead, December 20, 1869. Letter to the Secretary School for the Indigent Blind. 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.”
In fine condition, with a trivial light spot to blank left edge. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, bearing Dickens’ embossed monogram on the back flap, addressed in Dickens’ hand to “To The Secretary School for the Indigent Blind, near The Obelisk, St. Georges Fields, London, S.E.,” and postmarked London W.C., December 20, 1869.
The volumes in question were a gift from the author in reply to a request from Howe, director of Perkins School for the Blind, for "something to gladden [his pupils’] hearts.” At the time, the reading material available to sight-impaired students consisted mainly of religious works or school text books. Dickens’ tale, the first secular book to be published in line-type Braille, offered them something else—a chance to visit with Nell Trent and her grandfather in the titled establishment. As noted in his letter, Dickens allocated “a sum of money”—$1,700 to be precise—of his own money. A revealing look at Dickens’ philanthropic bent. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
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