Charles Dickens (1812-1870) - photo 1

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

Lot 66
10.07.2024 10:30UTC +00:00
Classic
Starting price
£ 30 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1249735
Lot 66 | Charles Dickens (1812-1870)
Estimate value
£ 30 000 – 40 000
Charles Dickens (1812-1870)
Extensive autograph quotation signed ('Charles Dickens') from David Copperfield, n.p., 28 April 1858
23 lines on one page, 226 x 179 mm.

An extended quotation from Dickens's favourite of his novels, David Copperfield. The quotation is taken from latter part of chapter 37 ('A Little Cold Water'), in which with characteristic ambiguity, Dickens both illustrates the depth of David's love for Dora Spenlow and Dora's childish unsuitability for dealing with the responsibilities of the adult world.

'We had only one check to our pleasure, and that happened a little while before I took my leave, when Miss Mills chancing to make some allusion to tomorrow morning, I unluckily let out that, being obliged to exert myself now, I got up at five o'clock. Whether Dora had any idea that I was a Private Watchman, I am unable to say; but it made a great impression on her, and she neither played nor sang any more. / It was still on her mind when I bade her adieu; and she said to me in her pretty coaxing way – as if I were a doll, I used to think: "Now don't get up at five o'clock, you naughty boy. It's so nonsensical!" / "My love", said I, "I have work to do" / "But don't do it!" returned Dora, "Why should you?" ...'.

The personal context of the quotation is interesting: in 1857, Dickens had fallen in love with the young actress Ellen Ternan, and this had exacerbated his alienation from his wife, Catherine Dickens, whom he increasingly accused of incompetence as a mother and a housekeeper. Dora in the present quotation may therefore both represent the irresistible youthful appeal of Ellen and the shades of the future incapacity of Catherine when confronted with the practicalities of the world. Matters came to a head only a few weeks after the date of the present quotation, when Catherine accidentally received a bracelet intended for Ellen: Dickens then separated from Catherine, refusing to see her again. The quotation was written the early weeks of Dickens's first reading tour, in which, to immense success, he gave 129 dramatic public readings in 49 towns throughout the British Isles between April 1858 and February 1859.
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
10.07.2024 – 10.07.2024
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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