BIB_ID
289633
Accession number
MA 93.137
Creator
Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870.
Display Date
1867 Dec. 24.
Credit line
Acquired by Pierpont Morgan, before 1913.
Description
1 item (2 p.) ; 17.8 cm
Notes
Part of a large collection of letters from Charles Dickens to Wilkie Collins. Letters are cataloged individually; see related records for full description.
Written on Gad's Hill Place stationery, but with the printed header canceled and "Boston Christmas Eve 1867" written above. Signed CD.
Written on Gad's Hill Place stationery, but with the printed header canceled and "Boston Christmas Eve 1867" written above. Signed CD.
Summary
Criticizing Collins' dramatic version of No Thoroughfare, which Dickens had just received. Noting that it is "done with great pains and skill," but it is too long and though "its fate will have been decided before [Collins] gets this letter, [Dickens] greatly doubts its success." Discussing specific points, and wondering why Collins has left "the whole thing" to Dickens' "sole discretion," asking "is not the play coming out, the day after tomorrow???" Mentioning that many pirated dramatic versions of No Thoroughfare are already being offered, and discussing [the theater manager] Wallack's plans, should their version be poorly received.
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