Dickens, Charles

ASKING PERMISSION TO DEDICATE MASTER HUMPHREY'S CLOCK TO ROGERS, explaining that the first volume of collected numbers will be published the following month and "I will not tell you how many strong and cordial feelings move me to this enquiry; for I am unwilling to parade, even before you, the sincere and affectionate regard which I seek to gratify", 2 pages, 8vo, text on rectos only, Devonshire Terrace, 13 August 1840; unobtrusive repair to small fold tear

Sotheby's, 21 July 1988, lot 65

The Letters of Charles Dickens, Vol. 2, eds House and Storey (1969), p.114

"...Have you any objection to my dedicating the book to you, and so having one page in it which will afford me earnest and lasting gratification..."

A FINE LETTER TO THE ELDERLY POET. Samuel Rogers (1763-1855) had been a friend and benefactor to generations of writers, renowned both for his biting tongue and generous spirit, and a habitué of Holland House (where he met Dickens in 1839). Rogers acquiesced to Dickens's request, and his fulsome dedication praised "a Poet whose writings (as all the World knows) are replete with generous and earnest feeling; and ... a man whose daily life (as all the World does not know) is one of active sympathy with the poorest and humblest of his kind." The dedication was first printed in the 26 September 1840 issue of Master Humphrey's Clock, then in the first volume of collected issues published on 15 October, and was finally given to The Old Curiosity Shop on its separate book publication.