Lot 27
Dickens, Charles. ALS, 3pp, in dark brown ink, 7" x 4½", Devonshire Terrace, London, 1849 Dec. 24. To Alexander Ireland (Dickens marked through the name), regarding a forger and embezzler named Thomas Powell who escaped prosecution in London by pleading insanity, then fled to New York, claiming to be a literary man with celebrity friends, including Dickens. Fine; boldly penned and signed. Accompanied by a postcard photo of Dickens.
Dickens denounces the anonymous "London correspondent" who reported that Dickens "was wont to feast in the house of the said Powell…." He writes, "I think 'our London correspondent' one of the great nuisances of this time…seldom knowing anything…." and begs Ireland to contradict the newspaper story, explaining that when "hearing of his book, and knowing his history, I wrote to New York denouncing him as 'a Forger and a Thief.' That he [Powell] thereupon put the gentleman who published my letter into prison, and that having but one day…to collect the proofs printed in the accompanying sheet (which are but a small part of the villain's life) I got them together in that time, and sent them out, to justify the character I gave him. It is not agreeable to me, to be supposed to have sat at this amiable person's feasts."
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,500.
|
| |
| Realized $4,140 |
