In May 2023, Britannic Auctions sold a signed 1851 rental agreement featuring Charles Dickens' signature for $3,600. This document highlights Dickens’ dedication to supporting struggling artists and writers through the Guild of Literature and Art. Co-signed by William Henry Wills and witnessed by John Forster, the agreement offers a rare peek into Dickens’ professional collaborations beyond his novels.
What’s in the Document?
This rental agreement, dated May 12, 1851, outlines the terms for office space at 10 Lancaster Place, near Waterloo Bridge in London. Dickens and Wills rented the modest third and fourth floors for £38 per quarter. The office offered gas lighting, shared facilities, and access to a water closet. For a space shared with other tenants, it might not sound glamorous, but it became a central hub for Dickens' Guild of Literature and Art—an organization he founded just two days earlier to help struggling creatives.
The agreement clearly states the rules: no major alterations, no trade or storage, and shared lighting costs. The document lists Dickens’ home address at the time, Devonshire Terrace, adding a personal touch to this historic artifact. Within six months, Dickens and his family moved from that residence, marking a new chapter in his life.
A Room for the Guild of Literature and Art
The Guild was Dickens’ way of giving back to the creative community. Alongside Wills, who served as honorary secretary, Dickens used this rented space as a hub for the Guild’s philanthropic mission. The Guild’s activities aimed to uplift writers and artists facing hard times, reflecting Dickens’ passion for social causes.
William Henry Wills, a close collaborator and sub-editor of Household Words, was Dickens’ right-hand man in many projects, including the Guild. Meanwhile, John Forster, Dickens’ biographer and literary critic, signed the document twice as a witness, further highlighting the close-knit circle of collaborators involved.
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Values for Charles Dickens Signed Documents
If you’re curious about how this document’s value compares, it helps to know the market for Dickens-signed items. A Charles Dickens autograph can sell for a few hundred dollars, but handwritten letters—known in auction terms as ALS (Autograph Letters Signed)—fetch far more due to their personal and historical significance.
Here are some real-world examples:
Here are some examples of auction results for Dickens-signed documents, illustrating the wide range of values:
- RR Auction (2022): A Dickens Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) sold for $8,011. Written on December 6, 1858, from Tavistock House, this four-page letter was addressed to Crystal Palace architect Joseph Paxton. In it, Dickens discussed a dinner celebrating his reading of A Christmas Carol.
- Bonhams (2011): Another ALS sold for $6,875. Dated April 19, 1851, this letter was written on mourning stationery from Devonshire Terrace to William Dudley.
- Swann Galleries (2015): A touching ALS sold for $8,750. In this letter, written from the Household Words office on January 8, 1858, Dickens returned a poem sent by a friend’s daughter, apologizing for being unable to print it and offering suggestions for her next submission.
- Forum Auctions (2022): A simple cut signature of Dickens, mounted on card, achieved a hammer price of £280, approximately $375 USD.
This rental agreement—a signed collaboration between Dickens, Wills, and Forster—sits somewhere in the middle. It is not as intimate as a personal letter, but it remains historically significant. Moreover, it ties to an important chapter in Dickens’ life.
Thinking of Selling or Buying?
If you own a Charles Dickens-signed document, whether it’s a simple signature or an Autograph Letter Signed, Britannic Auctions can provide a free valuation. Moreover, signed letters, especially those tied to Dickens’ literary works, continue to captivate collectors worldwide. Therefore, submit a consignment inquiry or sign up for our mailing list to stay updated on upcoming auctions.
