Charles Dickens 1863 Signed Large Paper Document

View Similar Items

36 Vol. Charles Dickens, The Works of Charles Dickens

DICKENS, Charles (Arthur Rackham). A Christmas Carol. LIMITED SIGNED EDITION

1 Vol. Charles Dickens, Bleak House

1890 Works of Charles Dickens

1894 The Works of Charles Dickens

1843-1848 Charles Dickens's Christmas Books

1 Vol. Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend

1 Vol. Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son

15 Volumes. Charles, Dickens. Complete Works.

1839-1877 The Works of Charles Dickens

Very Rare Pan American World Airways Porcelain / Enamel Aviation Sign

Marchal Ferrari 375 Plus Accessory Counter Advertising Sign, ca 1950’s

About the Item

This exceptionally large document, measuring 26½ x 22 inches, is dated 21st March 1863. Boasting impeccable penmanship the document is an Indenture made between Charles Dickens ('Of Higham, in the County of Kent') and John Brooker, a local farmer for the lease of land. It relates to 'a piece or parcel of land or garden ground containing by estimation eight acres and sixteen perches or thereabouts as now stumped off formerly woodland part of a piece of land formerly called or known by the name of "Seeming Ruff" but now called "Scrubby Bushes" situate lying and being at or near a certain place called Gads Hill in the Parish of Higham in the County of Kent..." The document has been signed by Dickens in bold blue fountain pen at the base, either side of a red wax seal affixed to a small green ribbon. Dickens association with Gads Hill is well documented. In 1856 he purchased Gads Hill Place for £1,790. He had first encountered the house in 1821 when he was nine years old and would often walk from Chatham to Gads Hill Place. He later wrote "I used to look at it as a wonderful mansion (Which God knows it is not) when I was a very odd little child with the first faint shadows of all my books in my head - I suppose." 35 years later he purchased the house, initially as an investment, and later as his personal country retreat before moving in permanently in June 1857. It was at Gads Hill Place that Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations and his unfinished work The Mystery of Edwin Drood. One of the main characters in Edwin Drood is Stony Durdles the stonemason, who Dickens based on local farmer John Brooker, referenced in this Indenture. In 1897 Elliot Stock, in his book on Dickens' life, wrote "[In] the late veteran Mr John Brooker, of Higham (whose father planted the famous cedars at gads Hill Place), were recognized some of the better qualities and peculiarities of Stony Durdles" We've been racking our brains but can't think of another document that mentions both Charles Dickens and the real life inspiration of one of his characters. A truly interesting and unique item. Huge size makes for a very impressive display piece. Provenance: Ex Christie's 2008 "Certificate of Authenticity" and our Lifetime Moneyback Guarantee of Authenticity included.

Dimensions:
Height: 22 in (55.88 cm)Width: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Depth: 0.1 in (2.54 mm)
Materials and Techniques:
Paper
Period:
1860-1869
Date of Manufacture:
1863
Condition:
Seller Location:
Jersey, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU3812111152841

20th Century English Books

Materials

Leather

36 Vol. Charles Dickens, The Works of Charles Dickens

$8,500 / set

DICKENS, Charles (Arthur Rackham). A Christmas Carol. LIMITED SIGNED EDITION

Located in Hillsborough, NJ

AUTHOR: DICKENS, Charles (Arthur Rackham). TITLE: A Christmas Carol. PUBLISHER: London: Heinemann, 1915. DESCRIPTION: LIMITED SIGNED EDITION. 1 vol., 11-9/16" x 9-3/8", limited t...

Category

Antique Early 1900s American Books

Materials

Leather

DICKENS, Charles (Arthur Rackham). A Christmas Carol. LIMITED SIGNED EDITION

$7,900

1 Vol. Charles Dickens, Bleak House

Located in New York, NY

1 Vol. Charles Dickens, Bleak House. First Edition. Illustrated by H.K. Browne. Bound in full red Morocco. All edges gilt. Gilt borders on interior and exterior covers. Ornate gilt p...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Books

Materials

Leather

1 Vol. Charles Dickens, Bleak House

$1,500

1890 Works of Charles Dickens

By Charles Dickens

Located in Bath, GB

Eighteen smart leather-bound volumes, containing the illustrated works of the enduringly popular Charles Dickens. Twenty-five works in eighteen volumes, bound in half morocco bindings, with gilt detailing to the spines and marbled end papers. Top edges gilt. A smart collection of Dickens' best-known works, full of his characteristically interesting and varied characters such as the unnerving Miss Havisham from Great Expectations, the loveable Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist, and the villainous Sir John in Barnaby Rudge. Also with Gilbert A...

Category

Antique 1890s British Books

Materials

Paper

1890 Works of Charles Dickens

$1,200

1894 The Works of Charles Dickens

By Charles Dickens

Located in Bath, GB

An excellent uniform collection of the 'Crown Edition' of Charles Dicken's works, bound in signed calf by Bumpus. A lovely set comprising the complete seventeen volumes that make up...

Category

Antique 1890s British Books

Materials

Paper

1894 The Works of Charles Dickens

$2,058

1843-1848 Charles Dickens's Christmas Books

By Charles Dickens

Located in Bath, GB

A complete set of first editions of Charles Dickens's five Christmas books, including the first edition of 'A Christmas Carol'. Housed in a chemise and quarter morocco slip case. A ...

Category