Dickens, Charles

The Newsvendors' Benevolent & Provident Institution. Speeches in behalf of the Institution, by the late Mr. Charles Dickens. London: Buck & Wootton, [c. 1870?]; Speech of Charles Dickens, Esq., at the Anniversary Festival of the Hospital for Sick Children, 49, Great Ormond Street, on Tuesday, February the 9th, 1858. [London: n.p., 1858]; bound together in nineteenth-century half green morocco by Zaehnsdorf, spine gilt, some very slight browning

Charles Plumptre Johnson, bookplate

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These two speeches reveal Dickens' commitment to philanthropic works: the second appeal, in which Dickens contrasted the spoilt children of the rich with "the spoilt children of the poor in this great city, the children who are, every year, for ever and ever irrevocably spoilt out of this breathing life of ours by tens of thousands," brought in more than three thousand pounds.