Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol

I added the text to this illustration by Jessie Willcox Smith. 

Door Disguised as a Bookcase

When closed, this door is indistinguishable from the other bookcases that lined the walls -- except for the doorknob. It is the study door of Charles Dickens at his home at Gad's Hill Place. The dummy books contain some humorous titles invented by the author. This was an extremely important room to Dickens that was always kept locked when he was not occupying it and no servants were allowed to enter. More pictures and descriptions of his beloved home here.

Have a Great Weekend

1912 illustration from Dickens's Children by Jessie Willcox Smith. Read the eBook complete with all ten of the full-color illustrations by this wonderful artist HERE.

image from Flickr

UK Celebrates Charles Dickens' 200th Birthday

He wrote about life in the modern city, with its lawyers and criminals, bankers and urchins, dreamers and clerks. He created characters still known to millions — Ebeneezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim, Pip and Miss Havisham, Fagin and Oliver Twist. And it made him a star, mobbed by fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

His Bookplate

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, joined Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, actor Ralph Fiennes, a host of dignitaries and scores of Dickens' descendants at a memorial service Tuesday (2/7/12) in London. Prince Charles placed a wreath on Dickens' grave in Westminster Abbey's Poet's corner.

Complete story here.

God Bless Us Every One

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, 1843. Illustration by Jessie Wilcox Smith. I made this illustrated quote last year and I still love it.

I have already set my DVR to record BBC America's Christmas Special Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol I'm a big fan of time travel and Dr. Who The Doctor. I know this broadcast on Christmas Night 12/25 at 9pm will be wonderful. "Time Can Be Rewritten, People Can't." You can watch a trailer if you click on the link.



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Charles Dickens Loved Cats

I scanned the cat from one of my favorite antiquarian books The Royal Book of Crests. If the ears were a little less pointy and the belly were fatter it could be my Tabitha.



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Charles Dickens Loved Cats

I scanned the image from my favorite book . . . The Royal Book of Crests. It seemed to be perfect for making this illustrated quote. Have a great weekend and give your cat some extra treats.




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Charles Dickens' Dog's Collar Brings $11,590

Charles Dickens' Dog's Collar Sold for $11,590
A dog collar that once belonged to Charles Dickens was sold at Bonhams New York's 28th dog art sale last month and went for well above its pre-auction estimates of $4,000-$6,000. The collar, made of leather and brass was engraved with Dickens' name and address sold for $11,590. Although the final price was more than twice what was expected it's not completely without precedent: last year an ivory and gold toothpick that once belonged to Dickens went for $9,150. Dickens was known for being fond of dogs and this collar certainly looks well-worn.

Engraving of novelist Charles Dickens (1812-1870) with his pet dog Turk. Photo: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

When he was a boy Charles Dickens and his father took a walk through Kent. On Gravesend Road they passed a house called Gad's Hill Place. Young Charles was very impressed.

His family was plagued with financial problems. However this imposing structure seemed to be part of a different world. His father noted his interest and told Charles that if he "were to be very persevering and work very hard" he might one day live there.

He did. He bought the house in 1856 and lived there until his death in 1870.




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The Gift of A Cat's Love via Charles Dickens

This early engraving from my Royal Book of Crests looks very much like Tabitha only her ears aren't as pointed. Even Webster the Wonder Dog loves her. After three years, she is finally loving him back in her own special way. She hardly ever hisses at him any more and she always seems happy when he leads the way on family walks. Animals enrich our lives so much every day. It rained all night and the wind howled but it's nice and clear and calm this morning. Perfect! Rosemary