In a remarkable auction event, a pocket watch that once adorned the possession of Charles Dickens is set to go under the hammer. This open-faced key-wind watch, dating back to 1836, holds historical significance as it was bestowed upon the renowned author on the first anniversary of his editorship at the magazine Bentleys Miscellany.
Coming from the lineage of Dickens, the watch and an accompanying desk set are slated for sale in Chichester, West Sussex. Stride & Son auctioneers have heralded the watch as an “unprecedented” piece within the realm of Dickens memorabilia, amplifying its historical value.
The William IV watch, bearing the initials CD, is intricately engraved with the words “Dearest Boz editor Bentleys Miscellany Dec 1836.” Boz served as Dickens’ pseudonym in his early writings, adding an extra layer of literary charm to the timepiece.
Accompanying the watch is a brass-bound walnut ebonized desk set from 1859. This set is inscribed with “Happy Birthday Little Lucifer Box” and features a plaque dedicated to Catherine Elizabeth Dickens, the author’s daughter. Believed to be a gift for her 20th birthday, Dickens is thought to have affectionately referred to her as “Little Lucifer Box” due to her spirited temperament.
Barnaby Chiari, a representative from Stride & Son auctioneers, emphasized the national importance of both items. He expressed, “The watch would appear to be unprecedented in terms of historical Dickens memorabilia, both as a talisman of the author’s early literary career, and a unique object, the like of which we can find no comparison.”
With an estimated auction value of £2,000 – £4,000, the watch is poised to attract collectors and Dickens enthusiasts alike. Simultaneously, the desk set, with an estimated value of £400 – £600, adds a distinctive touch to this auction of literary relics. The auction is scheduled to take place in Chichester on Wednesday, providing an opportunity for aficionados to acquire a tangible piece of Charles Dickens’ personal history.
