Ye dirty old man (Dirty Dick): a legend of Bishopsgate from Household words. Conducted by Charles Dickens by [Allingham, William] - circa 1890

London: D. D. Cellars, 1875. First thus. First thus. 12mo. Original yellow printed wrappers (on both covers) with border design of rats and spider webs, and lettering. 8pp. Exceedingly scarce chapbook-style imprint by D. D. Cellars (printed by Roberts Steam Lithograph, London. Two other copies located. An interesting and noteworthy piece consisting of a three-page poem by William Allingham (at the end), 15 quatrain stanzas, which evidently appeared in Dickens' journal, "Household Words," mid century Wear and soiling, split marks in pages extending about an inch. The booklet also contains a five-page "History of Dirty Dick," obviously not authored by Allingham. It is unclear whether the poem was stuck in here as an un-authorized 'teaser', an advertising selling point for example, as the book contains a hefty amount of advertising, wine, spirits, pure teas, etc. There is a 1902 Notes and Queries remark supporting the latter claim. Mark Samuels Lasner references the book in his Allingham Bibliography,… Read More