Victorian writer Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was one of the most
well-known celebrities of his day, and his work continues to appeal to a large
and diverse audience. His popularity is evident in the myriad editions and
re-interpretations of his novels and short stories, but also in the presence of
Dickens and his characters in a wide array of material culture.
The Whittaker Family Charles Dickens Manuscript Collection includes
correspondence, sheet music, playbills, artwork, ephemera, realia as well as
other miscellany relating to Dickens and his work. The variety of objects in
various formats, styles and composition, created while Dickens was alive but
also well after his death, illustrates the enduring popularity of the author's
work. Of particular note are original watercolors by both Hablot K. Browne and
Joseph Clayton Clarke ("Kyd").
This collection is open for research according to the regulations of the
Vassar College Archives and Special Collections Library without any additional
restrictions.
Encoded by Laura Finkel, April 2009.
Whittaker Family Charles Dickens Manuscript Collection, Archives and
Special Collections Library, Vassar College Libraries.
Processed by Laura Finkel and Jared Barenholz, 2008-2009.
Gift of the Whittaker Family, 2008.
SERIES I. DICKENS BIOGRAPHY AND/OR REVIEWS
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Folder 2.15
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Brief article regarding
American Notes review, National
Intelligencer, 25 Feb 1843
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Map case — drawer 35
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"Charles Dickens A Fugitive Bankrupt,"
New York Semi Weekly, 4 Aug 1854
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SERIES II. IMAGES OF DICKENS
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Folder 2.1
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Watts, Walter Henry. Tinted pencil sketch of Dickens
head, with Dickens' signature
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Folder 2.2
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Hollyer, Samuel (engraver). Engraving of Charles Dickens
sitting in his Study at Gadshill, 1875
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Hanging in Special Collections
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Hart, H. Blackburn (engraver). Mezzotint engraving after
the 1859 portrait by William Powell Frith (framed)
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Folder 4.1
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Unknown artist. Print of a pencil drawing, n.d. (originally framed with an 1864 personal check signed by
Dickens - now included in same folder)
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SERIES III. CORRESPONDENCE
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Folder 5.1
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Charles Dickens to Charles W. Kent, 8 June 1870 (facsimile) |
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Folder 5.2
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Charles Dickens to Charles W. Kent, 15 Oct 1862 (ALS, envelope and transcription) |
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Folder 5.3
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Charles Dickens to Mr. Armstrong, 9 May 1862 (ALS on All the Year Round stationery, also inc.
transcription)
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SERIES IV. MATERIAL RELATING TO DICKENS' WORKS
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Folder 2.14
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Barnaby Rudge, Chapters
19-20, New York Mirror, 29 May 1841
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Folder 5.26
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Advertisement for the first bound edition of
Oliver Twist, 1838 (1 poster card)
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Folder 5. 27
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Advertisement for the first printing of
Little Dorrit, 1857 (1 poster card)
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Folder 7.11
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Plates from the Pollock’s Juvenile Drama play set,
Oliver Twist or, The Parish Boy’s Progress,
(London: B. Pollock, [ca.1860]) (35 prints, including some torn items and several
duplicates)
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SERIES V. PLAYBILLS
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Folder 2.10
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The Strange Gentleman, St.
James Theatre, [London], Oct [1836?] (extremely brittle)
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Folder 1.2
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Sam Weller! or the
Pickwickians, Strand Theatre, London, July 1837
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Folder 1.3
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Sam Weller! or the
Pickwickians, Theatre Royal, Bath, Dec 1837
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Folder 2.10
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The Pickwickians, Theatre
Royal, Birmingham, Apr 1838
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Map case — drawer 35
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A Christmas Carol, Adelphi
Theatre, London, Jan 1844
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Folder 2.9
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Nicholas Nickleby, Boston
Theatre, Boston, Mar 1847
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Folder 2.9
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Nicholas Nickleby, Boston
Museum, Boston, Jan 1849
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Folder 2.9
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Savage and the Maiden,
National Theatre, [Boston], May 1850
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Folder 1.5
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Fortunio and his Seven Gifted
Servants (featuring Charles Dickens, Jr. as King Alfourite), Theatre
Royal, Tavistock House, 8 Jan 1855 (fabric - torn)
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Box 1
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original enclosure for Fortunio… |
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Folder 2.11
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Holly-Tree Inn, Standard
Theatre, London, Jan [1856]
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Map case — drawer 35
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A Christmas Carol, Adelphi
Theatre, London, Jan 1860
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Folder 1.4
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Oliver Twist, Howard
Athenæum, Boston, 1861
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Folder 2.9
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Oliver Twist, Boston
Theatre, Boston, Jan 1870
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Folder 2.9
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Oliver Twist, The Globe,
Boston, Mar 1871
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Map case — drawer 35
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Some Bells That Rang,
Britannia Theatre, London, Mar 1873
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Folder 5.4
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Dickens Christmas Pageant,
including The Fezziwig Swarry, Milwaukee-Downer College, Milwaukee, WI,
1924
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SERIES VI. SHEET MUSIC
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Folder 1.6
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"The Chimes Quadrille, Composed for the Musical Bouquet,"
n.d.
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Folder 2.3
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Bruton and Allen. "My Dear Old Faithful Doll." London:
Charles Jeffreys, n.d.
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Folder 2.4
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Caldicott and Oxenford. "Jenny Wren (The Doll's
Dressmaker)." London: Patey and Willis, n.d.
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Folder 1.7
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Carpenter and Crouch. "The Chimes Song." London: Duff and
Hodgson, n.d.
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Folder 1.8
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Carpenter and Glover. "What Are The Wild Waves Saying."
London: Robert Cocks and Co., n.d.
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Folder 2.5
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Glindon and Craven. "The Literary Dustman: A Comic Song."
London: T. Purday, n.d.
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Folder 2.6
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Godfrey, Dan. "Little Nell: Waltz." London: Chappell and
Co., 1860s
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Folder 2.7
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Lancelot, F. "The Cricket on the Hearth." London: Bingley
and Strange, n.d.
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Folder 1.9
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Marriott, C. H. R. "Dolly Varden Quadrille." London:
Ashdown and Parry, n.d.
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Folder 1.10
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Montgomery, W. H. "Little Dorrit's Polka." London:
D'Almaine and Co., n.d.
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Folder 1.11
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Normann, Jules. "Little Dorrit's Polka." London: Musical
Bouquet, n.d.
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Folder 1.12
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Roe, John, Jr. "Roe's Pickwickian Quadrilles." London:
Duff and Co., n.d.
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Folder 1.13
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Russell, Henry. "The Ivy Green, A Ballad." Philadelphia:
L. A. Alfred Schmidt, 1838
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Folder 1.14
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Van Noorden, P. E. "'All the Year Round' Schottische."
London: George Emery and Co., n.d.
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Folder 2.8
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Van Noorden, P. E. Little Dorrit's Schottische." London:
George Emery and Co., n.d.
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SERIES VII. ART and ILLUSTRATIONS
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Barnard, Frederick
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Folder 5.5
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Character Sketches published by California Art &
Engraving Co., ca. 1930 (9 prints)
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Browne, Hablot K. (Phiz)
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Folder 4.2
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Stiles illustrations — Punch and Judy show (ink and watercolor) |
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Folder 4.3
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Stiles illustrations — Punch and Judy show with child
(ink and watercolor)
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Folder 4.4
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Stiles illustrations —"Follow. Follow Me! — Hunting
party (ink and watercolor)
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Folder 4.5
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Stiles illustrations —Three men (ink and watercolor) |
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Folder 4.6
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Stiles illustrations —Woman and pig (ink and watercolor) |
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Folder 4.7
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Stiles illustrations —Woman leaning on stile
(pencil and watercolor)
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Folder 4.8
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Stiles illustrations —Couple embracing (pencil and watercolor) |
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Folder 4.9
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Stiles illustrations —Man lifting woman over, with
windmill in background (ink and watercolor)
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Folder 4.10
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Stiles illustrations — Man lifting woman over, with
town in background (ink and watercolor)
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Folder 4.11
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Stiles illustrations —Man helping woman (ink and watercolor) |
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Folder 4.12
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Stiles illustrations —"Farewell Brother Noah, Farewell
Sister Rebecca" (ink and watercolor)
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Folder 5.6
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Plates from Bleak
House, unknown edition, but similar to volume 17 of the
Gadshill Works of Charles Dickens (8 plates)
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Buss, Robert
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Folder 5.7
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Plates from The Pickwick
Papers, unknown edition (2 plates)
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Clarke, Joseph Clayton ("Kyd")
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Folder 6.1
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Old Curiosity Shop — Nell (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.2
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Old Curiosity Shop — Grandfather Trent (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.3
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Old Curiosity Shop — Kit (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.4
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Old Curiosity Shop — Quilp (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.5
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Old Curiosity Shop — Dick Swiveller (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.6
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Old Curiosity Shop — The Single Gentleman (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.7
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Old Curiosity Shop — Sampson Brass (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.8
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Old Curiosity Shop — Sally Brass (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.9
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Old Curiosity Shop — Mrs. Jarley (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.10
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Old Curiosity Shop — The Little Marchionesse
(watercolor)
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Folder 6.11
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Old Curiosity Shop — Mr. Chuckster (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.12
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Old Curiosity Shop — Jowl (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.13
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Old Curiosity Shop — Short (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.14
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Old Curiosity Shop — Codlin (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.15
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Old Curiosity Shop — The Old Schoolmaster (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.16
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Old Curiosity Shop — The Furnace Man (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.17
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Old Curiosity Shop — Mr. Vuffin (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.18
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Old Curiosity Shop — Slum (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.19
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Cover of Character Sketches
from Charles Dickens (watercolor)
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Folder 6.20
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Letter from Jerome Kern to Randolph Hearst expressing
their mutual interest in the "Kyd" illustrations 14 Feb n.y. (accompanied Our Mutual Friend watercolor set)
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Folder 6.21
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Our Mutual Friend —Cover page for set |
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Folder 6.22
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Our Mutual Friend — Jenny Wren (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.23
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Our Mutual Friend — Mr. Boffin (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.24
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Our Mutual Friend — Mr. Veneering (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.25
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Our Mutual Friend — Sloppy (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.26
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Our Mutual Friend — Bradley Headstone (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.27
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Our Mutual Friend — Mr. Venus (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.28
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Our Mutual Friend — Mr. Fledgeby (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.29
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Our Mutual Friend — Mr. Podsnap (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.30
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Our Mutual Friend — Silas Wegg (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.31
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Our Mutual Friend — Rogue Riderhood (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.32
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Our Mutual Friend — Mr. Twemlow (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.33
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Our Mutual Friend — The Cherub (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.34
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Our Mutual Friend — Mr. Dolls (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.35
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Our Mutual Friend — Mrs. Todgers [?] (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.36
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Our Mutual Friend — [Mr. Riah?] (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.37
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Our Mutual Friend — 3 unidentified men (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.38
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Miscellaneous Characters — Barnaby Rudge (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.39
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Miscellaneous Characters — David Copperfield
(watercolor)
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Folder 6.40
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Miscellaneous Characters — Uriah Heep (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.41
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Miscellaneous Characters — Oliver Twist (watercolor)
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Folder 6.42
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Miscellaneous Characters — Fagin (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.43
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Miscellaneous Characters — Mr. Bumble (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.44
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Miscellaneous Characters — Dick Swiveller (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.45
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Miscellaneous Characters — Mr. Pickwick (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.46
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Miscellaneous Characters — Tony Weller (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.47
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Miscellaneous Characters — Sam Weller (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.48
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Miscellaneous Characters — The Fat Boy (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.49
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Miscellaneous Characters — Mr Pickwick (watercolor) |
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Folder 6.50
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Miscellaneous Characters — Unidentified man
(watercolor)
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Folder 6.51
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Miscellaneous Characters — Major Bagstock (watercolor w/ description sheet) |
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Folder 6.52
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Miscellaneous Characters — The Game Chicken
(watercolor w/ description sheet)
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Folder 6.53
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Miscellaneous Characters — Rogue Riderhood (watercolor w/ description sheet) |
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Folder 6.54
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Miscellaneous Characters — Job Trotter (watercolor w/ description sheet) |
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Folder 6.55
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Miscellaneous Characters — Codlin (watercolor w/ description sheet) |
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Folder 6.56
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Miscellaneous Characters — Sally Brass (watercolor w/ description sheet) |
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Folder 6.57
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Miscellaneous Characters — Fagin (watercolor w/ description sheet) |
Copping, Harold
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Folder 5.8
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Set of cards showing miscellaneous Dickens scenes and
characters. Norfolk, England: Peacock Collection of Holt, n.d. (16 cards plus title card)
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Cruikshank, George
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Box 1
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Plates from Oliver
Twist, most from volumes published by Richard Bentley, London,
1837-1838 (24 items in a portfolio)
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Folder 5.9
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Plates from Oliver
Twist (10 items)
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Folder 5.10
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Two engravings from wood blocks engraved by Thomas
Williams after designs by Cruikshank. Printed and published by Nicolas
McDowall, Old Stile Press, 1992 (No. 24 of 150 copies)
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Folder 5.11
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Notes, colored sketches, and a bill for copper plates
(from J. Yates the engraver) for Chruikshank's illustration of
Sketches By Boz. (3 items)
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Folder 5.12
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Letter to [Jones?] about the "corps" attending church
in uniform, 23 Nov 1861
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Furniss, Harry
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Folder 5.13
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Plates [possibly from Charles
Dickens Library, vol. 4, Nicholas
Nickleby (London: Educational Book Co., 1910)] (3 items)
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Russell, Walter
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Folder 5.14
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Unidentified man (watercolor) |
Seymour, Robert
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Folder 5.15
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Invoices for Seymour illustrations, 1831 (2 items) |
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Folder 5.16
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"Sketches by Seymour: A Scramble for Puff Pastry…,"
S.n., 26 Bride Lane, Fleet Street, [London] (back cover illustration?)
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Folder 1.1
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"Sketches by Seymour: High Musical Connisseurs and A
Monkey Fancier," William Spooner (for Mrs. Seymour), London, 1839 (print)
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Miscellaneous and Multiple
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Folder 5.17
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Plates from The Posthumous
Papers of the Pickwick Club, Philadelphia: Carey, Lea and Blanchard,
1838
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Folder 5.18
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Silhouettes of Dickens and 19 of his characters.
London: Dickens' Old Curiosity Shop (20 prints)
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SERIES VIII. REALIA and COLLECTIBLES
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Cigarette Cards
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Folder 7.1
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Player's — Characters from Dickens, as drawn by Joseph
Clayton Clarke (Kyd), [1923?] (50 cards)
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Folder 7.2
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R & J Hill —Historic Places from Dickens' Classics
— small size, [1926?] (50 cards)
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Folder 7.3
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R & J Hill — Historic Places from Dickens' Classics
— large size, [1926?] (50 cards)
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Folder 7.4
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Cope's — Dickens Character Series, [1939] (25 cards) |
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Folder 7.5
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Godfrey Phillips — Dickens bust card, no. 41 of a
series (1 card)
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Tea Cards
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Folder 7.5
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Brooke Bond — Famous People series — Dickens, no 6 of a
series of 50 (1 card)
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Stamps
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Folder 7.6
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Charles Dickens Centenary Testimonial Committee — Sheet
of stamps created to commemorate the centenary of Dickens' birth, published by
Strand Magazine, London and New York, 1912
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Folder 7.7
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Kenmore — Charles Dickens: Greatest novelist of All
Time — set commemorating the centenary of Dickens' death, 1970
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Folder 7.8
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British Post Office —First day covers and stamps
commemorating the centenary of Dickens' death, 1970
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Folder 7.9
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Fleetwood — Joyous Carols of Christmas —first day
covers, 1978 (2 sets)
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Folder 7.10
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Miscellaneous stamps from a variety of countries,
ca. 1970-1993
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Coins
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Box 8
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Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth
Charles Dickens, 1912 (1 brass coin)
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Box 8
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John Roberts coin commemorating the 100th anniversary
of the death Charles Dickens, 1970 (1 silver coin, numbered 00025)
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Box 8
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Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death
Charles Dickens, 1970 (1 large brass coin)
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Box 8
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Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death
Charles Dickens, 1970 (3 smaller brass coins)
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Box 8
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"God Bless Us Every One," n.d. (1 silver coin) |
Spoons
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Box 3
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Set of 12 spoons featuring Dickens characters, with
accompanying rack. [Franklin Mint], [1981] (pewter [and plastic?])
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Boxes 9 and 17
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Set of 12 spoons featuring characters from "A Christmas
Carol," with accompanying rack. [Franklin Mint], n.d. (pewter)
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Ceramics
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Box 10
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Covered dish featuring Sairey Gamp. New Hall Hanley
Pottery, n.d. (ceramic)
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Box 10
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Set of 6 pin dishes featuring Dickens Characters. New
Hall Hanley Pottery, n.d. (ceramic)
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Box 14
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Decorative plate with portrait commemorating the
centenary of Dickens' death. No. 158 of 5,000. England: Spode, 1970 (bone china)
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Box 14
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Decorative plate with portrait commemorating the
centenary of Dickens' death. No. 1,100 of 5,000. England: Spode, 1970 (bone china)
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Box 13
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Set of four place settings, including dinner plates,
bread and butter plates, salad bowls, cups and saucers. England: EIT [English
Ironstone Tableware], n.d. (ceramic)
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Place Mats and Coasters
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Box 14
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Set of 6 place mats featuring Dickens scenes. England:
Pimpernel, n.d. (coated cork)
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Box 14
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Coasters — Set of 6 coasters featuring Dickens scenes.
England: Pimpernel, n.d. (coated cork)
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Statuary
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Box 15
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Bookends — busts of Charles Dickens. NY: Pompeian
Bronze Co., n.d. (bronze)
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Box 15
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Door knocker — Charles Dickens' head, n.d. (bronze) |
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Box 16
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Statues — Bust of Charles Dickens, n.d. (ceramic) |
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Box 11
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Statues — Set of 3 figurines of Dickens characters
possibly by Peerage, 1966? (brass)
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Box 12
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Statues — Set of 4 figurines of Dickens characters
possibly by Peerage, 1966? (brass)
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SERIES IX. MISCELLANEOUS DICKENSIANA
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Folder 2.12
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Gadshill Place — Particulars and Conditions of Sale of
Charles Dickens' home, County of Kent, 1879 (map included)
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Folder 5.19
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General Theatrical Fund — Advertisement card announcing
First Anniversary Festival, 6 Apr 1846
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Folder 2.13
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General Theatrical Fund — Broadside announcing First
Anniversary Festival, 6 Apr 1846
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Folder 5.20
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Dickens-Irving Fellowship Centenary —Letter from Eleanor
Roosevelt to [Enid Dickens?] Hawksley, 7 Dec 1937 (1 ALS)
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Folder 5.21
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Dickens-Irving Fellowship Centenary — invitation to Sarah
Herbert to join the committee and come to the dinner, 1937
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Folder 5.22
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Macready, William Charles (actor and friend of Charles
Dickens) — Illustrated poem: "The King and the Norse King…" (Bound MS, 6 pages)
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Box 2
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Stonehouse, James. Poem "Addressed to Charles Dickens
Esq., on the occasion of his presiding at the Annual Soirée of the Mechanics'
Institution, Liverpool, Monday, February 26, 1844" (1 ms draft, 2 edited ts, 1 final ts)
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Map case — drawer 35
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Map: "Johnson's England and Wales," |
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Folder 4.1
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Personal check from Dickens to W. Ring, 1864 |
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Folder 5.23
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Brochure for the George and Vulture, n.d. |
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Folder 5.24
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Newspaper clippings mentioning Dickens, 1915-2003 |
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Folder 5.25
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Invitation to the California State University Northridge
Library's Dickens dinner, 2003
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