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Charles Dickens silver jug to beat $15,890 estimate at Christie's?
A silver jug gifted by Charles Dickens to a confidant comes to Christie's on May 30
Paul Fraser Collectibles, Thursday 17 May 2012
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A silver claret jug given by novelist Charles Dickens to a Scottish journalist is coming to auction on May 30.
 A confidant and a journalist? Dickens’ jug has a £10,000 estimate |
Dickens gave the engraved item to his confidant and occasional assistant William Henry Wills in 1862. It is accompanied by a handwritten letter from Dickens to Wills regarding the jug, which reads: "I hope it is a pretty thing in itself for your table and I know that you and Mrs Wills will like it none the worse because it comes from me.
"It will never be so full of wine, as it is today of affectionate regard. Ever faithfully yours, Charles Dickens."
Harry Williams-Bulkeley, head of silvers at the auction house, told the Edinburgh Evening News: "Dickens has gone to the best silversmith and got one of the most fashionable objects to say thank you for the great friendship shown over the years by Wills.
"People are fascinated by Charles Dickens. We sold his desk a few years ago and it went for more than £430,000."
The John Samuel Hunt jug comes to the auction with a £10,000 estimate, which could on the conservative side considering the popularity of Dickens with collectors, in this the 200th year of his birth.
Handwritten Dickens letters alone have shown strong showings at auction recently, up from £795 ($1,250) in 2000 to £3,950 ($6,200) in 2011, at a rate of 15.69% pa, according to the PFC40 Autograph Index.
Our experts have sourced a handwritten, signed letter by Dickens, written in 1866.
A signed first edition of Dickens' David Copperfield is coming to Christie's Valuable Printed Books and Manuscripts sale on June 13, with a £50,000 valuation.
Recent and related articles
· Dickens signed David Copperfield displays author's superstitious nature | 26 April 2012
· Charles Dickens' wife discovered in antique camera shop | 19 April 2012
· Emilly Bronte portrait painting sold for $7,200 at auction - with another to follow | 24 February 2012
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Images: Christie's
