- Brief description
- Court suit worn by Charles Dickens in 1870
- Label
- This is Charles Dickens's only known surviving suit in the world. He wore it, along with a sword, to a levée (a formal morning reception) at St James Palace on 6 April 1870, two months before his death. The Queen was not there, but Dickens met Edward, Prince of Wales. The suit adheres to 1869 guidelines on court dress - dark coat and trousers with a white waistcoat and sword. Dickens described it as 'Fancy Dress' in a letter to his friend Francis Beard.
- Collection
- Object
- Object number
- DH206
- Object type
- coat
trousers
waistcoat
stockings
breeches - Production date
- ca.1850-1875
- Inscription content
- C. Smith and Sons Ltd of Piccadilly
- Inscription description
- marked on buttons
Home
/ DH206
