Charles Dickens' Dog's Collar Sold for $11,590A 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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Bibury village is a popular visitor attraction situated in the Cotswolds Gloucestershire a few miles from Cirencester. This is a place I somehow missed in all my travels to the Cotswolds, my favorite section of England. I've been to Cirencester, so close but now so far. Boo Hoo.
I honestly think poppies are my favorite flowers. Is there anything prettier than a meadow full of red ones? I think not.
Did that blog title get your attention? It certainly got mine. I've lived my whole life and never once thought about making anything out of tampons. Certainly not a massive chandelier. It's in a gallery in Lisbon.
"The sun rises over Stonehenge as druids celebrate the Spring Equinox at Stonehenge near Amesbury, Wiltshire, England. Several hundred druids and pagans were granted special access to the ancient monument to mark the date in the calender when the length of the day and the night are equal (this happens twice a year, at Spring and Autumn Equinox). To the druids Spring Equinox celebrates the renewed life of the Earth that comes with spring and attribute the changes that are going on in the world to an increase in the powers of their God and Goddess." (March 20, 2009 - Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images Europe)
The grass is getting green, can the hedges and trees be far behind?
Today is the first day of spring or the in astronomical terms the vernal equinox when the sun crosses the equator on its journey toward the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn. Spring lasts until the start of summer at the summer solstice.
Another beautiful day is dawning at my house. Have a wonderful weekend. Rosemary
Beverston Castle, Gloucestershire, England founded 1229 AD. In medieval times the castle was known as Beverstone, earlier Beverstane or Bureston. Privately owned since 2006. The ancient moat has been incorporated into the expansive and well cared for garden, considered to be a good site for viewing orchids.
