Charles Dickens Bicentenary

Celebrate the great author's 200th birthday with Fraser's

As part of Dickens 2012, Fraser's Autographs are hosting an exhibition of the great author's personal memorabilia in association with the Rochester and Chatham Dickens Fellowship from 6-11th February 2012.

 Download Rochester and Chatham district events flyer >

Due to its importance and value much Dickens material is locked away in museums and archives; the aim of this exhibition is to bring a selection of original, collectible Dickens handwritten material closer to the general public who may not be aware that they can see, touch and even 'own a Dickens'.

The Dickens Swiss Chalet Appeal 

The Rochester & Chatham branch are urgently trying to raise £100,000 to save Dickens Swiss Chalet, in which he wrote five of his novels. To aid with the appeal Fraser's Autographs have donated a raffle prize of a framed portrait of Dickens with an authenticated hair from one of his locks. 

Raffle tickets will be available from Eastgate House 6-11th February and from the Dickens Fellowship website after the 11th. One winner will be drawn at random on 2nd December 2012.

View all Charles Dickens signed items >

A lot of people stare in disbelief when we show them a selection of Charles Dickens items. Did you ever think that you could own something touched by Charles Dickens? He is an author that transcends time – regardless of your age, you probably know of countless novels either through reading them at school or later life.

Charles Dickens is much loved for his great contribution to classic English literature. He was the quintessential Victorian author. His epic stories, vivid characters and exhaustive depiction of contemporary life are unforgettable.

How many Dickens novels have you read? What’s your favourite? Oliver Twist? A Tale of Two Cities? Great Expectations? A Christmas Carol?

Dickens himself was partial to David Copperfield, which is seen as his most autobiographical novel. In the preface to the 1867 Charles Dickens edition, he wrote, "… like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield."

So whether your favourite character is Oliver Twist or Ebenezer Scrooge, David Copperfield or Nicholas Nickleby, you can honour the great man behind such creations.

Below is a really special example of Dickens’ signature. He has hand written the final sentence of Chapter One of 'David Copperfield' and then signed his extravagant autograph beneath. It’s an extremely rare document from one of the world's greatest authors. Available for £27,500.