Next Fellowship Meeting :
June 14, 7 pm
'The Pickwick Papers' ! Ch 48-end
Refreshments, Discussion, & Conversation !
THE PICKWICK PAPERS
Published in monthly parts Mar 1836 - Oct 1837
When artist Robert Seymour proposed to publishers Chapman and Hall a series of engravings featuring Cockney sporting life, with accompanying text published in monthly installments, they readily accepted and set about the task of finding a writer. The publishers were turned down by several writers and finally asked 24-year-old Charles Dickens to provide the text. Dickens accepted and argued successfully that the text should be foremost and the engravings should complement the story. Seymour, an established artist but without recent success, was troubled with the direction the upstart writer was taking his project and with Dickens' suggestions of changes to the illustrations.
On completion of the engravings for the second monthly part Seymour, who had a history of mental health problems, committed suicide.
See the announcement of Seymour's death in the second number of Pickwick
Chapman and Hall decided to continue with the project and, after trying artist R. W. Buss, whose work was deemed unsatisfactory, hired 20-year-old Hablot Knight Browne as illustrator. Browne, who took the nickname "Phiz" to complement Dickens' "Boz", went on to illustrate Dickens' work for the next 23 years. Dickens took an active role in redesigning the project, the format was changed from 24 pages of text and four illustrations to 32 pages of text and two illustrations. Dickens also abandoned the original concept of the "sporting club", which had been Seymour's idea (Dickens noted that despite spending a portion of his childhood in the country, that he was no sportsman) and began to tie the sketches together into a more cohesive novel.
The novel, a still somewhat loose collection of the adventures of Samuel Pickwick and his friends, was a huge success. Chapman and Hall printed only 1000 copies of the first monthly installment, at the end of serialization 40,000 copies were being printed. Pickwick had taken Britain, and later the world, by storm and had successfully launched Dickens to celebrity status.
History of the Dickens Fellowship & North of Boston Branch
The Fellowship was founded in London in 1902.
Objectives: These were "to knit together in a common bond of friendship lovers of the great master of humour and pathos, Charles Dickens", to
spread the love of humanity, to campaign against those "social evils" that most concerned Dickens, and "to assist in the preservation
and purchase of buildings and objects associated with his name or mentioned in his works".
In a change to the Constitution agreed in
2005, an additional objective was introduced - to promote the knowledge and appreciation of his works. This was to reflect the change
in emphasis of the Fellowship's activities.
The newest objective is to enhance the promotion, readership, and education of
Dickens with activities and events .
North of Boston Branch ~~~~~Founded Spring 2010 Founder Deb Benvie just returning from
a London trip had become taken with the Dickens Museum and Fellowship. Upon her return to Massachusetts area she
realized that the closest Fellowhsip was in Greater Boston. Soon after a call was sent out for Dickens Fans.
The North
of Boston Branch was soon born and is now a Chartered Branch #204, status through the London Office. The Salem Athenaeum
is the base for the literary group and has served the membership well. We hope to participate and forward Dickens literary
works through the many cultural festivals, and events held in the area.
Meetings are a combination of book club, social events,
student programming, study groups, and community service and education.
Members are involved to the degree which suits them
and fulfills their personal goals. Many members enjoy just book discussions while others enjoy the programming, planning, and
activities. We invite you to join our Fellowship and rekindle your enjoyment of reading Dickens or start anew.
BECOME A NOBB MEMBER !!!!!!!!
Join the North of Boston Branch
OPEN ENROLLMENT
Membership : Dues 15.- annually
Applications
available at monthly meeting from Treasurer
North of Boston Branch
Director Deb Benvie
978-979-0574
Corresponding Secretary
Zoe
Castro
Archivist Robert Bransford
Treasurer Kathy Anderson
Historical
Research
Jan Pacak
19th
Century Dance and Culture
Barbara
Pugliese
Meetings held at :
The Salem Athenaeum
Dickens Fellowship
North of Boston Branch
337 Essex Street
Salem, MA 01970
.
A Worldwide Celebration of Dickens
June 23, 11-2 pm
Tickets Here > $10.-
July 21, 2-5pm
Tickets Here > $10.-
