Autograph Letter Signed (“Charles Dickens”), 2 pp recto and verso, 8vo, Devonshire Terrace, August 29, 1845, to T.J. Serle, mounting remnants at hinge, else very fine. Superb letter in which Dickens disavows any responsibility in the falling out between two of his actor friends, Thomas J. Serle and William Charles Macready. In full: “I set great store by your plain-spoken letter; which comes from the Man I know you to be: and it is not addressed to an inconsiderate or regardless person, believe me. Something seemed to lead me on the other night, when I was with you, to a suspicion of the Truth. But having been away so long, I had no idea that anything of an unpleasant nature had arisen between you and Macready. I purposely alluded to him to ascertain if my misgivings were well-founded. I am quite concerned that I should have been a party to the request; under such circumstances. But your letter assures me that you absolve me from all blame. Therefore I merely state the fact of my entire ignorance to you, as a satisfaction to myself. Ever, My Dear Serle, Faithfully Yours.” Macready’s diaries (published in 1912) record his strained relationship with Serle and the actress Helen Faucit at this time. Dickens was a sometime actor and director himself. Published in Dickens’ Letters, Pilgrim Edition, 1978. See illustration.
Autograph Letter Signed (“Charles Dickens”), 2 pp recto and verso, 8vo, Devonshire Terrace, August 29, 1845, to T.J. Serle, mounting remnants at hinge, else very fine. Superb letter in which Dickens disavows any responsibility in the falling out between two of his actor friends, Thomas J. Serle and William Charles Macready. In full: “I set great store by your plain-spoken letter; which comes from the Man I know you to be: and it is not addressed to an inconsiderate or regardless person, believe me. Something seemed to lead me on the other night, when I was with you, to a suspicion of the Truth. But having been away so long, I had no idea that anything of an unpleasant nature had arisen between you and Macready. I purposely alluded to him to ascertain if my misgivings were well-founded. I am quite concerned that I should have been a party to the request; under such circumstances. But your letter assures me that you absolve me from all blame. Therefore I merely state the fact of my entire ignorance to you, as a satisfaction to myself. Ever, My Dear Serle, Faithfully Yours.” Macready’s diaries (published in 1912) record his strained relationship with Serle and the actress Helen Faucit at this time. Dickens was a sometime actor and director himself. Published in Dickens’ Letters, Pilgrim Edition, 1978. See illustration.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
