Charles Dickens
London, England, November 30, 1841
Charles Dickens ALS: "My great ambition is to live in the hearts and homes of home-loving people"
ALS

An autograph letter signed by author Charles Dickens. 2pp, measuring 4.5" x 7.25", 1 Devonshire Terrace, Regents Park, London, dated November 30, 1841. Signed "Charles Dickens" and addressed to Mrs. Mary Novello, wife of the musician and publisher Vincent Novello. Dickens discusses his ambition "to be connected with the Truth of Truthful English Life", a new pair of slippers, and his heartfelt thanks for fans of his work. With flattened mail folds and faint edge toning. Large, bold signature. Ex: Christies.?To view the envelope that accompanied this envelope, please see Lot _____ [82523].

The letter in part:
"?My great ambition is to live in the hearts and homes of home-loving people, and to be connected with the Truth of Truthful English Life. A communication like yours give me greater pleasure ... than the most boisterous notes Fame could possibly blow out of her Trumpet. I am happy to think that I have moved and interested your daughter, and beguiled her of moments that might have been heavy. It is pleasant to repay a debt of gratitude, and I am among the crowd of bankrupts who owe her a very large one."

Mrs. Novello had also apparently sent Dickens some materials for a pair of slippers, which he noted he had "sent to be made up." He continues, "I shall wear them; connecting those from whom they came with the most cheerful moments of my pilgrimage, and my recollections of my own hearth and images of those who sit about it. When I return, I shall hope to become personally known to you both?"

The daughter referred to in the letter is possibly the acclaimed soprano Clara Novello (1818-1908) or the Novellos' eldest daughter, Mary (later Mary Cowden Clarke), who would become a friend of Dickens later in the 1840s. At the time of writing, Dickens was finishing two weekly serials, "The Old Curiosity Shop" and "Barnaby Rudge", both of which were completed in November 1841. The two were published in Dickens' weekly serial "Master Humphrey's Clock", from 1840 to 1841.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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4.5" x 7.25"
Provenance: Ex: Christies.