Footnotes

THOMAS HATTON'S COPIES OF THE COMPLETE 'SKETCHES BY "BOZ"', DICKENS'S FIRST BOOK.

First series: Hatton writes of the binding that the present copy "is one of only three ever seen by [the] writer possessing this particular kind of green cloth binding, and the peculiar orange-coloured end-papers. There is however no question of its pureness and genuineness as having been originally bound in this manner, and as such it may be considered a more desirable copy than in its more usually accepted state". These two volumes have all the flaws called for by Smith except for three in volume 1 (at p.[107], p.174, and plate at p.329).

Second series: the Contents leaf loosely inserted is the first state, with no list of illustrations, whilst that bound in is in the second state, with a list of illustrations on verso (omitting 'Mr Minns and His Cousin' at p.263). The 19-page catalogue at the end, dated December 1836, is as described by Smith. The binding by Remnant & Edmunds has the rarer blue and white patterned endpapers as opposed to the usual pale yellow ones.

Provenance: Thomas Hatton, loosely inserted typed note, bookplates in first two volumes, William Henry Collis; and thence by descent to the present owners.

______________________


LOTS 67-138: THE CHARLES DICKENS COLLECTION OF WILLIAM HENRY COLLIS OF LIVERPOOL (1865-1944)

"W.H. Collis (aka Harry), was born in 1865 in Stourbridge, Worcs., the eldest of 8 brothers. His father William Blow Collis was a Mining Engineer and Coal Master (employing 200 men) and his grandfather of the same name, a renowned local solicitor and JP. "Collis Street" is to be found near the centre of Stourbridge, and more recently "The Collis Play Area" designated to their memory.

WHC studied electrical sciences at Kings College in London, a subject at that time at the very frontiers of science and technology, and went on to work for the fledgling electricity company supplying electricity to Liverpool where he was also a lecturer at the university.

As a life-long bachelor, he devoted himself to his role as the senior member of the family, but his two loves were his interest in his family genealogy, and his amazing interest in the life and works of Charles Dickens, on which he spent so much of his time.

He amassed a large collection, and had wide correspondence with fellow Dickens aficionados for over 30 years of his life, becoming a recognised authority on the subject. Much of his correspondence has been kept. He was a meticulous adherer and recorder of detail as is evident in his notes relating to the books. Even with all his correspondence, he nearly always noted down on the letter the date of receipt of the letter as well as of his always prompt reply! In many cases he kept his edited drafts of these replies." (Information provided by the family).

The collection, sold on behalf of the descendants of Collis, provides a fascinating insight into the circle of 1930s Dickens collectors, dealers and bibliographers who, following in the footsteps of John F. Dexter, shared knowledge and collations, often buying and selling parts and spares to make up sets. WHC's most frequent correspondent was Thomas Hatton, who acknowledged Collis first and foremost in the bibliography he compiled with Arthur Cleaver ("The authors are indebted to many collectors and friends for information and assistance; particularly Mr. W.H. Collis, of Liverpool, and Dr. Hablot Browne, of Hoylake"). Many of the lots contain related letters from Hatton, some the draft replies, and the vast majority include WHC's detailed collation and provenance notes. They also reference the extraordinary amount of work done by the binder Morrell in repairing, cleaning and making up parts. Most of the books are still preserved in their 1930s brown paper parcels tied with string, and many of the individual parts and books are in a paper wrapper supplied by Collis with his edition notes.