Dickensiana (5 Ergebnisse)

LETTER: 3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on aged and worn paper. Kitton writes that he has received two copies of the Book Buyer for March, and is 'much interested' in it for two reasons: 'Mrs. Garlands flattering comments upon myself and my work', and 'a very generous notice of my latest Dickens production'. He finds illustrations 'excellently reproduced', and praises 'the careful attention that has obviously been bestowed upon the preparation of both blocks and letterpress'. Turning to another matter, he notes 'a query (no. 346)' on p.151, and wishes to provide 'an adequate reply': 'The satire to which "D. M." evidently alludes assumed the form of an unsigned article entitled "Who Wrote Dickens?", published in Macmillan's Magazine, June 1886.' He describes it as an 'elaborate jeu d'esprit' which 'satirises a paper that appeared in the Nineteenth Century of the previous month, the writer of which endeavoured to prove that Bacon confused Shakespeare's Plays.' He adds that the reply, the authorship of which 'has been attributed to Mr. Andrew Lang', 'declares with apparent seriousness, that Dickens was but the amanuensis of Mr Herbert Spencer, and that the latter (not Darwin, as intimated by "D. M.") was the actual author of "Pickwick," etc.' CARD: With postage stamp and three postmarks. Addressed 'To the Editor of The Book Buyer, | Messrs. C. Scribner's Sons | New York City | U. S. A.' Headed 'Reply to Query 352.' Regarding the 'meaning of Thackeray's expression "my yellow books"', he writes that it is 'traceable to the fact that when his novels originally appeared in serial form each number was contained in a yellow wrapper, to distinguish them, probably, from Dickens's stories, which were similarly published in parts with green wrappers.'.…

A set of six scarce pieces of unusual Dickensiana. Difficult to date: the nature of the illustrations (printed in negative) gives them a modernist feel, but their purpose would place them before the 1920s. The six items, printed in black on pieces of grey-white card, range in size from 12 x 16.5 cm ('SAM WELLER.') to 4.5 x 6 cm ('JOB TROTTER'). In good condition, lightly aged. Four of the six have soot stains on their blank reverses, presumably caused by the hot lantern. The images comprise representations of the characters, with captions printed beneath them in heavily-leaded Victorian-style type. The outlines of all six have been cut away, in the fashion of characters from a toy theatre, and they all have black areas on them which are meant to be cut out in order to project shadows onto a wall. Mr Pickwick (the only figure with a sub-caption: '"Drive on Samivel."'), for example, stands in half-profile, with his left arm behind his back pushing up his jacket, and his right hand gesticulating upwards. The hand, torso, breeches and face are all printed in black, while the jacket and outlines of the features, jacket, boots, spectacles and features are all left white. The possessor is meant to cut away at the black areas, thus turning the illustrations into stencils. This a previous owner has started to do in three cases ('SAM WELLER.', 'Mr. WELLER, Senr.' and 'JINGLE.'), and completed in one ('FAT BOY.'), exhibiting no small degree of skill with the scalpel. These items are scarce: no other copy has been traced. See Image.…

Spencer was a sharp operator (see Mandelbrote ed., 'Out of Print and into Profit', pp.285-287) and the present items give an hint of his methods. (The two letters are addressed from the premises at which his staff were said to practice their 'sophistications'.) His two letters (both signed 'W. T. Spencer') are in good condition, on lightly-aged and worn paper, with the second dated by Bois to 1931. Bois's letter (signed 'Winifred Bois') is in fair condition, with a short closed tear along one edge. Letter One: Spencer to Bois, 23 February [1931]. The letter begins: 'I have just come across a vol of Flowers & Birds, Drawings on Paper, that I thought you might like, I have never seen anything quite like them before, and being in a double case, thought they might be the work of a famous artist'. He offers it to her for £20, and also sends 'a Rice Paper Vol with some loose ones inside' priced at £12. Letter Two: Spencer to Bois, 26 February [1931]. He urges her 'to secure those Drawings, even if only as an investment'. 'I feel somehow at the back of my head, that they are very valuable; because I have never before seen anything in a double case, and as you know I have seen a good many of these things'. He admits that 'they are oxydized, but if you do not know how to take that off, Miss Marie will tell you how to, when next you are that way'. He concludes: 'Do please secure it.' Letter Three: Bois to 'Mr Sawyer', 14 March 1966. She thanks him for his cheque for £184 'in payment for the Books taken on Thursday. I was sorry to not to see you but your assistant seemed a very nice pleasant young man & very keen on the books.' She feels 'quite happy about the deal' and is 'glad the books have gone back to their original home'. She asks whether he still buys 'Chinese Drawings', having sold him some of hers in the past. 'I have a book which old Walter Spencer was certain was very valuable as he had never seen one like it before - I want to dispose of it some time but should like to ask your advice first.' She asks him to telephone as she finds it 'very difficult getting about in the crowded London streets'. …

First edition, volume issue. First edition, volume issue. With 20 illustrations. [iv], 252 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Sadleir 705a; not in Wolff Original dark green sand grained cloth. Some rubbing, front inner hinge broken. Very good With 20 illustrations. [iv], 252 pp. 1 vols. 8vo.

Bound from the original 12 illustrated parts. With 12 woodcut illustrations. [2], 94 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Sadleir 1827; Wolff 5101; Gimbel H-338; Kitton 540; Miller, p. 249; NCBEL 3:798 Contemporary half dark blue calf, marbled boards. Some rubbing. Very good With 12 woodcut illustrations. [2], 94 pp. 1 vols. 8vo Bound from the original 12 illustrated parts.…