San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-05-21
CHARLES DICKENS SALE.
SOME OF THE GREAT NOVEllST'S
EFFECTS UNDER THE HAMMER.
Paintings and Drawings from Subjects
Found in His writings-A Stuffed Raven
That Sold for S6OO-Punch Ladies' and
Pickwickian Ladle.

That Sold for S6OO-Punch Ladies' and
Pickwickian LadIe.
A singular attraction, apparently, to judge
from the company assembled. The Great
Room" at Cnristie's was crowded with buyers
and onlookers of quite exceptional quality.
And there was but comparatively unlm-
portant collection of articles for sale, for the
most part sufficiently commonplace, and only
IFS lots in all few pictures and other
works of art in bronze, porcelain, marble
and plaster, with some domestic and personal
knickknacls, composed the entire catalogue.
But, then, these goods and chattels had be
louged to Charles Dickens.
The worship Of heroes-literary, artistic
and others-was in high vogue at the date OF
this sale, nearly twenty years back. Dickens
had enjoyed for long time popularity alb
solutely unique and unrivaled; the sudden
ness and almost dramatic circumstances Of
his death had raised public interest in him
and his belongings to fever heat; and his ex-
ecutors, who would seem to have possessed
large portion of his own commercial keenness,
had struck, promptly and effectively, while
the iron was yet white hot. Dickens died on
June 9, 1870, and his effects were sold on July
| 8, one calendar month after. The collection
was duly on view for three days before the
| sale, drawing crowds of sightseers; and even
the smaller articles had their interest and
value enhanced by bearing each one label
with what appeared at first sight to be the
well known autograph signature of its de
| ceased owner, but which closer inspection
showed to be really fac-simile, the counter
felt presentment of that signature, skillfully
produced by TYPOGRAPHY.
THE PICTURES.
The pictures, forty in number, included oil
paintings and water color drawings, the sub
jects of many Of which were taken from
Dickens own writings, or bore some other re-
lation to himself personally. There were no
fewer than six works by his friend ClarkSon
Stanfeld, among them being the published
drawing of the Britannia, the vessel which
carried Dickens to the United States to make
his american Notes." which was bought
by Lord Derby for 105 guineas. The fine
"Eddystone Lighthouse" in oil, realized 800
guineas. Two companion drawings 10y q,
Cattermole, Of Little Nell's Home" and
Little Nells Grave" sold for 100 guineas
and $50 guineas respectively; Topham's draw
inc of the same sweet heroine, with heI
grandfather, at work tying up punches OF
flowers for the race course, went up to 27S
guineas. Webster's "Dotheboys' Hail." 6
small oil painting, IL by 6 inches represent
inc the dosing with birthstone and treacle
reached $40 guineas; and still smaller pict
ure by C. r. Leslie, only 9 inches by 6
"Pickwick and Mrs. Bardell," in grisaille
13l guineas. Maclise's portrait of Dickens
painted in 1899, just fifty years ago, in the
days of Nicholas Nckleby, was happily Sc
cured by Mr.. Boxal for 600 guineas; while
Mr.. Friths ideal of piquant, charming Dolly
Warden did fitting honor to author and art
ist by fetching the highest price of the sale
1000 guineas.
There was but narrow scope for bargain
hunting; still, interspersed amid the ordinary
household ware and bric-a-brac, some few I'm
considered trifes were to be picked up a
fairly moderate prices. Pairs Of small chini
candlesticks, for example, were sold for
guineas, and even guineas, and a pal
of feather hand screens for AZ guineas
But the more strictly personal mementos
which, though of little intrinsic worth, tn
poorer brethren of the pen might well hav
lovingly coveted and cherished, went beyon
their modest reach. For instance, a walnu
writing suite, of a common enough style, sol
as follows; the envelope case, 8 guineas; ink
stank, II q guineas; paper weights, z guineas
while even the little walnut matchbox ra
up to guineas.
GRIP" FOR 5000.
: A stuffed bird in a homely glass case CAV
rise to one Of the most sensational episodes c
this notable sr!e Being. described as. M