The Characters of Charles Dickens.—A series of original water-colour drawings, signed with monogram, J.C.C. A collection of these, 241 in number, realised ten guineas at the Cosens sale in 1890. Mr. Thomas Wilson possesses 331 drawings by "Kyd," which probably include those formerly owned by the late Mr. F. W. Cosens.
A series of twenty-four of these drawings were reproduced by chromo-lithography, small 4to, illustrated boards, and published by Raphael Tuck & Sons, London, Paris, and New York, N.D.
The Characters of Dickens.—Studies of a few of the leading personages in the novels. The Fleet Street Magazine, 1887.
W. Maddox and H. Warren.
"Little Nell" and "Mrs. Quilp."—Engraved by Finden from drawings by W. Maddox and H. Warren respectively, for the first Cheap Edition of "The Old Curiosity Shop," 1848. London: Chapman & Hall. Kenny Meadows designed a portrait of "Barbara" for the same work.
Kenny Meadows.
Dickens Characters.—"Gallery of Comicalities."—"London Particulars." This series of portraits (some of which are signed with the artist's initials) include Fagin, the Artful Dodger, Charley Bates, Sam Weller, Oliver Twist, Mr. Bumble. Each portrait is accompanied by a poem of forty lines. Published in Bell's Life in London, 1838.
Heads From "Nicholas Nickleby."—Portraits of twenty-four of the principal characters, "from drawings by Miss La Creevy." Six parts, demy 8vo, price 6d. each. London: Robert Tyas, Cheapside, N.D. [1839]. The separate parts were enclosed in a buff illustrated wrapper, having at each corner a portrait of a member of the Nickleby family, and in the centre a representation of Miss La Creevy, seated before a portrait of "Boz" (after S. Laurence). Included among the advertisements in the first number is an announcement of this production, with an engraving depicting Miss La Creevy at work. The illustrations are here said to be "etched by A. Drypoint," but they are really woodcuts. The following explanatory statement, which forms part of the announcement, is not without interest: "These 'Heads' will comprise Portraits of the most interesting individuals that appear in 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby,' selected at the period when their very actions define their true character, and exhibit the inward mind by its outward manifestations. Each Portrait will be a literal transcript from the accurate and vividly minute descriptions of this able and graphic author, and will present to the eye an equally faithful version of the maiden simplicity of Kate Nickleby—the depravity of Sir Mulberry Hawk—the imbecility of his dupe—the heartless villainy of the calculating Ralph—the generosity of the noble-minded Nicholas—the broken spirit of poor Smike—and the brutality of Squeers. These and many others furnish subjects for the display of the Artist's genius, and will form an interesting and most desirable addition to the work." The "Heads" were also issued in a collected form, in a green wrapper and in cloth, and were republished in "The Scrap Book of Literary Varieties," the names of the characters being changed into brief descriptive titles, such as "Miniature Painter" instead of "Miss La Creevy." Cloth, 8vo. London: Edward Lacy, 74 St. Paul's Churchyard, N.D.
"Barbara."—Engraved by Finden, and published with two plates by W. Maddox and H. Warren to illustrate the first Cheap Edition of "The Old Curiosity Shop," 1848. Price 7d. London: Chapman & Hall.
Thomas Onwhyn ("Sam Weller," "Peter Palette").
Illustrations to the Pickwick Club.—Thirty-two plates by "Samuel Weller." "The local scenery sketched on the spot" The majority are signed "Samuel Weller, delt.;" a few bear the artist's initials, "T.O.," while others have no signature appended. Issued in eight monthly parts, green wrappers, demy 8vo, one shilling each, and published complete in one volume, boards, price 9s. London: E. Grattan, 51 Paternoster Row, 1837. According to the announcement on the cover of Part I., there were to have been ten parts, and india-proof impressions, 4to, price 2s. Some of the unsigned plates are much inferior to those bearing Onwhyn's signature. A set of these "Pickwick" plates, in the original parts, have been catalogued at fifteen guineas. Lithographic replicas were issued in small 8vo by J. Newman, 48 Watling Street, 1848, for insertion in the first Cheap Edition of "Pickwick." Twelve of these plates (etched by J. Yeager) were included in a "new edition" of "Pickwick" published by Carey, Lea, & Blanchard, Philadelphia, 1838, and reprinted in 1850. (See also "Alfred Crowquill.")
Illustrations to the Pickwick Club.—Twelve etchings on steel, 1847. Published in green wrapper by A. Jackson, 224 Great Portland Street, in 1894. Prices, per set, india-proofs 30s.; coloured by Pailthorpe, 25s.; plain, 18s.
Illustrations to "Nicholas Nickleby."—"Edited by 'Boz.' By Peter Palette, Esq." Forty etchings, comprising ten portraits and thirty scenes. Issued in nine parts, demy 8vo, price one shilling each, green and buff wrappers, having a design representing an easel with a palette affixed. Published at intervals from June 30, 1838, to October 31, 1839, and subsequently as a volume. London: E. Grattan, Paternoster Row, 1839. The publisher, when launching these designs, seemed unable to determine the exact number of parts in which they should appear. On the wrappers of Parts 1 to 5 it is stated that they would be completed in eight parts; on the wrappers of Parts 6 and 7, in ten parts; and on that of Part 8, in nine parts. Parts 1 to 5 contain four plates each, 6 to 8 contain five plates each, and 9 contains five plates, thus making the full complement of forty designs. The work was afterwards republished by Grattan & Gilbert, 51 Paternoster Row, and again reprinted (circa 1847)—thirty-two plates only, which were styled "proofs"—in small 4to, on buff paper. About the same time a similar number of these designs were issued as lithographs, in eight parts, small 4to. Newman, N.D.
In 1897, Mr. George Allen, of 156 Charing Cross Road, issued india-proof impressions from the thirty-two original steel plates for "Pickwick," and from thirty-eight for "Nickleby," the edition being strictly limited to 250 sets for each work. Price £5, 5s. per set. Cloth portfolio, 12 by 9 inches, with title-page and list of subjects. The plates have been well preserved.
H. M. Paget.
Pickwick Pictures.—Six character sketches, printed in colours, with letterpress. Crown 8vo. Illustrated wrapper. London: Ernest Nister, 24 St. Bride Street, E.C. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., 31 West Twenty-Third Street, N.D.
F. W. Pailthorpe.