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DICKENS (CHARLES) Autograph letter signed ("Charles Dickens"), to the history painter E.M. Ward, regarding a 'property purse' to be used in a production, Devonshire Terrace, 11 May 1851
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DICKENS (CHARLES)
Footnotes
'I HAVE A "PROPERTY" PURSE WHICH WILL MAKE MORE GLITTER' – Dickens prepares for his amateur dramatics. The first performance of Bulwer-Lytton's comedy, Not as Bad as We Seem, written for Dickens's company and performed in aid of the Guild of Literature & Art, was given before Queen Victoria at Devonshire House on 16 May 1851, with Dickens taking the role of Lord Wilmot. It was during the rehearsals that Dickens first met Wilkie Collins, who was playing Smart, his lordship's valet.
Our letter is printed in the reminiscences of Ward's widow; who records that Dickens 'consulted my husband about the costumes for the play, and also about an ancient purse which he wanted in the character he was himself performing. Taking Edward aside at one of the rehearsals, he mentioned this difficulty to him. My husband thought for a minute and then replied: -- "I have a purse among my historical properties, Mr Dickens, and from your description I should think it is just the kind you want. I will look it up as soon as I get home"... My husband designed the tickets for admission to this play... which on Dickens' death was sold for sixty-eight guineas' (Mrs Ward's Reminiscences, edited by Elliott O'Donnell, 1911, pp.192-3). Ward was soon afterwards invited to paint Dickens's portrait.





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