AN engraved snuff box given to Charles Dickens by his schoolmaster is set to be auctioned in Malvern.
The box, given to the famous author by William Giles, his schoolmaster at Chatham, will go under the hammer at Philip Serrell Auctioneers on Thursday, May 14.
The box, which was made in 1834 by Nathanial Mills, is engraved: “To Charles Dickens Esquire, “The Inimitable Boz”, with no less admiration for his gentleness and generosity than for the devotion of his brilliant talents to the advancement of literature & the melioration of the condition of the distressed, from his sincerely attached friend & former Tutor W Giles”.
“Boz” refers to “Sketches by Boz”, which was Dickens’ first collection of work prior to the publication of Pickwick Papers.
Similar snuff boxes usually attract bids of £500 - £1000, but the connection with Dickens means this item, lot 472, carries an estimate of £8,000 - £12,000.
To contact Philip Serrell Auctioneers and Valuers call 01684 892 314.
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