Charles Dickens Signed Envelope Addressed To His Favorite German Wine Merchant! With JSA LOA
Charles Dickens
[Lausanne, Switzerland?], [ca. 1846]
Charles Dickens Signed Envelope Addressed To His Favorite German Wine Merchant! With JSA LOA
Signed envelope
An original transmittal envelope signed by British writer Charles Dickens (1812-1870), as "Charles Dickens" in the lower left corner. Also inscribed in Dickens's hand as: "affranchir / A Monsieur: / Monsr: Joseph Valckenberg / Worms / Sur Rhin," where the cancelled "affranchir" indicated that the letter was franked and carried pre-paid postage. With a hand-stamped postmark, possibly from Lausanne, Switzerland. The postmark date is unclear, but almost certainly dates from the year 1846. Bearing Dickens's complete red wax seal verso. With several manuscript philatelic markings in ink, pencil, and red colored pencil recto and verso. Isolated foxing and a few contemporaneous ink smears. Expected wear and weathering, including minor chipped edges and closed tears. Letter-opened and with tape residue on the back. Else very good. 5" x 3.25". Accompanied by a JSA Letter of Authenticity, certification number XX12987, dated December 5, 2025.
Dickens and his young family had embarked on a trip to Switzerland via the Rhine River in late May 1846, departing for Paris by November of that year. While on a Rhine River steamboat cruise during this sojourn, the Dickens family had met Wilhelm Joseph Valckenberg (1790-1847), the addressee of Dickens's envelope. Wilhelm Joseph Valckenberg was the son of Peter Joseph Valckenberg, who had founded a prosperous German winery in 1786. The House of Valckenberg (also known today as P.J. Valckenberg) grew the grapes and bottled their own wines in addition to selling and exporting them to discerning oenophiles throughout Europe. After Dickens met Valckenberg and sampled his wines, the author, who liked to tipple, became one of his most devoted customers. Dickens is said to have especially loved the company's light-colored sweet-tasting white wine called "liebfraumilch." P.J. Valckenberg still operates today.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.
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Charles Dickens
[Lausanne, Switzerland?], [ca. 1846]
Charles Dickens Signed Envelope Addressed To His Favorite German Wine Merchant! With JSA LOA
Signed envelope
An original transmittal envelope signed by British writer Charles Dickens (1812-1870), as "Charles Dickens" in the lower left corner. Also inscribed in Dickens's hand as: "affranchir / A Monsieur: / Monsr: Joseph Valckenberg / Worms / Sur Rhin," where the cancelled "affranchir" indicated that the letter was franked and carried pre-paid postage. With a hand-stamped postmark, possibly from Lausanne, Switzerland. The postmark date is unclear, but almost certainly dates from the year 1846. Bearing Dickens's complete red wax seal verso. With several manuscript philatelic markings in ink, pencil, and red colored pencil recto and verso. Isolated foxing and a few contemporaneous ink smears. Expected wear and weathering, including minor chipped edges and closed tears. Letter-opened and with tape residue on the back. Else very good. 5" x 3.25". Accompanied by a JSA Letter of Authenticity, certification number XX12987, dated December 5, 2025.
Dickens and his young family had embarked on a trip to Switzerland via the Rhine River in late May 1846, departing for Paris by November of that year. While on a Rhine River steamboat cruise during this sojourn, the Dickens family had met Wilhelm Joseph Valckenberg (1790-1847), the addressee of Dickens's envelope. Wilhelm Joseph Valckenberg was the son of Peter Joseph Valckenberg, who had founded a prosperous German winery in 1786. The House of Valckenberg (also known today as P.J. Valckenberg) grew the grapes and bottled their own wines in addition to selling and exporting them to discerning oenophiles throughout Europe. After Dickens met Valckenberg and sampled his wines, the author, who liked to tipple, became one of his most devoted customers. Dickens is said to have especially loved the company's light-colored sweet-tasting white wine called "liebfraumilch." P.J. Valckenberg still operates today.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.
WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
