Charles Dickens, 1859

Autograph letter & check
Charles Dickens, 1859
DICKENS, Charles (1812-1870). Autograph letter signed ("Charles Dickens") to Mrs White, 16 May 1859, Tavistock House. — Partly printed document signed ("Charles Dickens") and completed in his hand, 30 January 1867.

Letter, 105 x 185mm, on Tavistock House stationery, and bank check, 185 x 95mm (both laid down on cardstock).

Dickens writes in full: "Dear Madam, I regret to answer that I have not the time to comply with your request to any greater or more acceptable extent than of writing you this short note and assuring you that I have read your letter with pleasure and interest. Dear Madam, Faithfully Yours Charles Dickens." The bank check is from A. Coutts and Company, and is completed and endorsed by Dickens. The recipient is perhaps Mary Smith (1830-1870), wife of Albert Smith (1816-1860) who adapted Dickens’s writing for the stage and brother of Arthur Smith (1826-1861) who booked Dickens public readings in 1858. Provenance: Gifted by Dr. William R. Laird to Dr. James H. Hewlett, Dean of Centre College in 1941 – by descent to Dr. James Spencer Hewlett in 1954 – thence by descent to present owners.