Rare items of Charles Dickens' clothing to go on display in London

"Rare surviving items of Charles Dickens' clothing, including the linen shirt collar worn by the writer when he suffered his fatal stroke in 1870, are to go on display. Other items being exhibited include Dickens' black silk stockings part of his only surviving suit as well as personal effects and items related to his personal grooming, including a set of six silver razors used for his daily shave, a perfume bottle, silver candle snuffers and a gold locket, containing photos and locks of hair from Dickens and his son, Henry."

"The machine-made black stockings on display were worn by Dickens, along with dark jacket, trousers and white waistcoat, as well as a sword, to a formal reception at St James's Palace on 6 April 1870, at which Dickens met Edward, Prince of Wales. Dickens described the suit as fancy dress."

"The display will run at the Charles Dickens Museum at 48 Doughty Street, Bloomsbury, the only surviving London house in which Charles Dickens lived and the place where he wrote many of the stories that made his name. In 1837, when Dickens moved into the home with his growing family, he was a budding author; by the time the family left he was world famous."

The Charles Dickens Museum will exhibit rare surviving items from the writer's personal collection, including the linen shirt collar he wore when suffering his fatal stroke on June 8, 1870. Additional items on display include black silk stockings from his only surviving suit, silver razors with ivory handles, a perfume bottle, silver candle snuffers, and a gold locket containing photographs and locks of hair from Dickens and his son Henry. The collar was previously owned by actor Bransby Williams, known for portraying Dickens characters. These artifacts provide insight into Dickens' personal style and grooming habits, revealing him as a fashionable and flamboyant dresser. The stockings were worn to a formal reception at St James's Palace in April 1870, where Dickens met Edward, Prince of Wales.

Read at www.theguardian.com