Dickens Charles

Charles Dickens "Impériale" Cabinet Card


A large cabinet card depicting Charles Dickens (1812-1870), photographed by J. Gurney & Son in New York City, circa 1867. The sepia colored silver gelatin photograph is mounted on a cream stock card printed "CHARLES DICKENS. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by J. GURNEY & SON, in the Clerk's Office of the District / Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. / J. Gurney & Son / 707 Broadway, N.Y." along the bottom. Also stamped with an elaborate company mark verso reading "Carte Impériale / by / J. Gurney & Son / 707 Broadway, N.Y." Bearing a former ownership stamp and a few pen inscriptions verso. A little edge darkening and a few chipped corners, else very good to near fine. The photo measures 3.875" x 5.625" while the card measures 4.125" x 6.375".


The souvenir card depicts the popular British novelist standing with a top hat; he is flanked by a chair, desk, papers, and books--all attributes of his literary trade. This image is more typically seen in a pocket-sized carte de visite size; larger cabinet cards like this one are very rare.


Charles Dickens returned to the United States in December 1867 (his first visit had been in 1842). Before Dickens' departure in April 1868, the author shuttled between Boston and New York City, conducting over 70 readings of his works and netting approximately £19,000 in royalties! The author of A Christmas Carol (1843), David Copperfield (1850), A Tale of Two Cities (1859), Great Expectations (1861), and Our Mutual Friend (1865) would suffer a series of strokes after his return to England.


Jeremiah Gurney (1812-1895) was trained by pioneering daguerreotype photographer Samuel Morse. Gurney opened a studio in New York City in 1840, where he would produce highly detailed premium portraits for the next several decades. J. Gurney & Son opened its 707 Broadway location, a three-story studio and photography gallery, in 1858.

 

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