INFELICIA.
London - Paris - New York: 1868. 1st edition thus (Gimbel B295), i.e., with the lithographic plate reproducing Dicken's letter. This copy SIGNED by Dickens, in blue ink, on the original ffep, "Faithfully yours / Charles Dickens [flourish]". We posit it was signed by Dickens during his 1868 tour of America. [5], v, 141, [1] pp. Binder's blanks at front & rear. Frontis of Menken. Facsimile of Dickens' "letter", which is actually comprised of portions from 2 letters Dickens sent Menken [cf. LETTERS, v. 11]. Cuts as head- tailpieces. Sq 12mo. 5-1/2" x 4-1/4". Early 20th C. 3/4 green morocco binding with marbled paper boards & eps. TEG. Original publisher's green cloth binding bound-in at rear. Spine sunned to a mellow golden tan. A handsome VG+ copy. Item #33231.1
Dickens knew Menken through her 1864 performances at Astley's, during which time she was accepted by the London Bohemian crowd, holding 'literary salons' at her suite at the Westminster Palace Hotel. Her aspirations toward literature resulted in this modest volume of poetry, which she decicated to "Charles Dickens", a gesture the Inimitable accepted with 'great pleasure'.
This particular copy comes from a prominent Detroit businessman's collection, gathered in the 1920s, and only now, 100 years later, coming onto the market.
Price: $25,000.00