Comments on: Charles Dickens’ Inkwell

By: John JRD Manford.

John JRD Manford. — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 11:55:05 +0000

Fascinating.
I lived and worked around Covent Garden, Mercer Street, 70’s.
and produced a very successful production of Noel Cowards Private Lives.
A thank you farewell present from the leading Actor was a simple writing case. Comprising Box, Contents, Pen with knib, Brush? and glass roller? For what? I assumed Stamps. Did Stamps exist in 1856? Anyway the accompanied note ” from the Desk of CD. Has been with me for over 50 years. I am preparing for the Final Curtain and do not know what to do with it?
JJRM

By: John E Rhodebeck

John E Rhodebeck — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 21:31:51 +0000

Very interesting article. Edmund Rhodebeck was my grandfather. He joined a religious order after the passing of his wife Helen. I believe he must have given away this inkwell when he entered the religious order. He passed in the early to mid 1950’s, I do not remember the exact date, but can obtain it if it is of interest. Thank you so much for sharing this article.

By: Barb Tully

Barb Tully — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 03:09:21 +0000

I came across a vintage inkwell at an estate sale. I was told it belonged to someone who was obviously wealthy, as it is made of etched crystal with a silver hinged cap. It has the initials CWD engraved in gothic on the silver cap. Would you have any background information about this inkwell? I found it interesting that the initials were Charles Dickens’ (except for the middle initial) and also in gothic. I appreciate any information you have to offer.

By: Theresa Musgrove

Theresa Musgrove — Sun, 13 May 2018 08:23:40 +0000

Just to add that the significant point about Peter Rhodebeck being a driver in New York in 1867 and 1868 is that this of course corresponds with the time of Dickens’s reading tour of America. On this tour, and in New York, Dickens lost a tiny pocket book diary, full of coded details of his life with Ellen Ternan. It is perhaps not entirely impossible that Dr Rhodebeck’s grandfather was given – or found – the inkwell. Or, perhaps more likely, the inkwell surfaced at auction at some later point, as did the dairy (now held by the New York Public Library) – and was then acquired by the doctor.

By: Marcia Howard

Marcia Howard — Sun, 06 May 2018 14:30:43 +0000

What a fascinating story, and what a wonderful gift. I do hope someone can confirm its provenance for you unequivocally.

By: Ros

Ros — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 23:43:55 +0000

A wonderful gift and so pleasing to look at, and how exciting to have had some of its history revealed already. I can’t think of a better recipient for the master’s inkwell than yourself!

By: JanetD

JanetD — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 21:45:07 +0000

A most worthy recipient of this historic artefact.

By: Adele

Adele — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 20:57:09 +0000

What an appropriate gift, GA. I had just started to do some research but see that someone beat me to it. I’ll just add that Rodebeck (var. spellings) sounds German, and the area where he lived (Park and 86th St) was known until just a few decades ago as Yorkville, the area where Germans settled in NY.

By: Debra Matheney

Debra Matheney — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 16:38:00 +0000

The most thoughtful gift for you. It is so perfect for our gentle author. I so enjoy following this blog and all of your thoughtful entries, which make for a brief respite in our ever more frenetic world. Thank you so much for sharing this lovely object with us.

By: David Lawson

David Lawson — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 16:20:55 +0000

No-one called Rodabeck in New York City in the 1850 and 1855 censuses. A whole range of Radebocks, Ridabocks, Ridabochs, etc, etc, so it could be one of those. Living on 5th and 86th, however, puts this in Ward 21, which throws up no obvious contenders.
[Sorry. Wrote this before seeing the excellent research by Linda Granfield. I was assuming th good doctor was around at the same time as Dickens.