May, 2023 Online Auction of Charles Dickens Material
Britannic Auctions is presenting an auction of a collection of exceedingly rare and unique items relating to Charles Dickens, consigned by imminent collector of Dickensiana, Mr. Martin Nason. The auction will take place on May 20, 2023 on Invaluable.
Click here to view the online catalog.
Portions of Mr. Nason’s world-class collection of Charles Dickens materials were sold to the Charles Dickens Museum and appear in their archives. In addition to a variety of pieces very seldom seen at auction, a great number of quality books will be included, such as a first edition of “Hard Times” and first American edition of “A Christmas Carol”.
Some of the auction highlights include:
- A finely bound copy of “The Life of Dickens” with two signed, tipped-in letters
- Original watercolor character portraits painted by Kyd; all portraits feature backgrounds in addition to the character study
- November, 1850 program for the Knebworth Private Theatricals, a private performance of Ben Johnson’s Comedy in which Dickens, his wife and brother Frederick appeared
- Volumes from Dickens’ personal library with a “Working Copy” used for a article in “Household Words”
- Original theatrical programs, playbills and ephemera from early performances of Dickens’ works
Property rental agreement signed by Charles Dickens. Dated May 12, 1851 this legal agreement authorized the rental of the property which housed The Guild of Literature and Art at 10 Lancaster Place, London. Signed by Charles Dickens, William Henry Wills and John Forster.
“The History of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. Written by Charles Dickens exclusively for his children. 1846 manuscript in the hand of Georgina Hogarth, presented in a leather folder embossed with the initials of Alfred D’Orsay Tennyson Dickens (A.T.D.).
“No Thoroughfare; A Drama in Five Acts (Altered from the Christmas Story, for Performance on the Stage) by Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. 1867 first edition of the stage adaptation. Original wrappers housed in a olive green chemise with matching slipcase.
“Tony Weller of the Belle Savage”. Original large c1912 watercolor painting signed by artist Frank Reynolds, a character portrait for “The Pickwick Papers”.
Dickens’ Farewell Readings & Knebworth Private Theatricals. Original programs for Charles Dickens’ Farwell Readings tour and the November, 1850 private performance for Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton that launched the Guild of Literature and Art.
Multiple sets of original watercolor and pen character portraits by Kyd. A great number of original Kyd character studies, all of which feature background art
