Mark Lemon and His Circle collection

Finding Aid

Prepared by Dean Keller; Revised by Athena Salaba, February 1996; Updated May 2019

Inclusive Dates: 1847-1888
Extent: .33 cubic foot (1 document case)
Physical Location: 11th floor

Biographical Note: Mark Lemon, born in 1809 and died in 1870, was a man of letters. He was the founder and editor of Punch. As an amateur actor, Lemon appeared at Miss Kelly's theater in Soho and at Dicken's private theatricals at Tavistock House. He published farces, melodramas and operas, he contributed to Household Words and others periodicals, and he was the editor of Family Herald and Once a Week.

Scope and Content: This collection consists of autograph letters and envelopes. The majority are letters to Mark Lemon from writers such as William Makepeace Thackeray, Douglas Jerrold, Richard Doyle, John Forster, Shirley Brooks, and several others. A very valuable part of this collection are the six autograph and signed letters of Charles Dickens to his friend Mark Lemon, inviting him to dinner and discussing his writing. Also, this collection includes letters from and to a variety of correspondents, Mark Lemon's Circle, including John Forster, Alfred B. Garrod, Sir Stratford Canning, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Emma C. Roberts, and others; and autograph envelopes from W. Harrison Ainsworth and others. Finally, five original pencil drawings attributed to "Phiz" (Hablot K. Browne?) are present.

Arrangement: The collection is arranged chronologically.

Acquisition Note: This collection was purchased from book dealer David Holmes by Kent State University Libraries and the Department of English on December 1995.

Box 1
Folder -- Contents

1. 1847, 29 Jan.: Mahon, Lord [Stanhope, Philip Henry], 1805-1875. Chevening, Sevenoaks, [England]. To _____.

   Asks him to send last Quarterly. Autograph Letter. 1p., 20cm.

2. 1847, 6 Aug.: D[ickens], C[harles], 1812-1870, Broadstairs, [England]. To Lemon, [Mark], 1809-1870.

   Has a "million of Theatrical things to write about to you"; talks about his new book; working on a Prospectus for a new association; invites him to visit; mentions John Leech. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 18.1cm.

3. 1847, 30 Dec.: Farquahar, Sir [Walter] Minto, 1809-1866. To Murray & Co.

   Asks them to enter a subscription to the Quarterly Review. Autograph Letter. 1p., 18.2cm.

4. 1848, 7 Dec.: D[ickens], C[harles], 1812-1870, Devonshire Terrace [London, England]. To Lemon, [Mark], 1809-1870.

   Hopes to see him at 6:30; just finished a short notice for Forster. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 18cm.

   Accompanied by an envelope signed in full by Dickens.

5. 1849, 11 Sept.: Forster, John, 1812-1876. To Lemon, [Mark], 1809-1870.

   Sets an appointment. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 10.9cm.

6. [1849], [11 Sept.]: [Jerrold, Douglas William], 1803-1857. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

   Comments on work for Punch. Autograph Letter. 3p., 11cm.

7. 1850, 19 June: Forster, John, 1812-1876. To [Cattermole], George, 1800-1968.

   Will make a great effort to meet him, but do not wait. Autograph Letter Signed. 2p., 10.9cm.

8. 1850, 15 Oct.: [Dickens, Charles], 1812-1870, Broadstairs, [England]. To Lemon, [Mark], 1809-1870.

   Mentions an artist [possibly Maclise]; asks Forster for address; afraid of an amateur prompter; an actor would be preferable. Autograph Letter. 2p., 18.1cm.

   Signature clipped.

   Accompanied by an envelope signed in full by Dickens.

9. 1850: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870.

   Envelope, signed in full. 1p., 6.9cm.

10. 1851, 23 Jan.: Forster, John, 1812-1876. To _____.

    He is "out & about" again; won't get to Clapham for a day or two; weather cold but cheerful. Autograph Letter Signed. 2p., 11cm.

11. 1851, 28 Jan.: Forster, John, 1812-1876. To _____.

    He is better again. Autograph Letter Signed. 2p., 10.9cm.

12. 1853, 28 Jan.: D[ickens], C[harles], 1812-1870, Tavistock House [London, England]. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Arranges a dinner. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 17.9cm.

13. 1854, 29 Jan.: _____. To Lemon, Mark, 1809-1870.

    Agrees to write article; asks about copyright. Autograph Letter Signed. 3p., 17.9cm.

    Pasted to 3rd page is an Autograph Letter Signed, dated Oct. 14, 1881.

14. 1855, 6 June: D[ickens], C[harles], 1812-1870, Tavistock House [London, England]. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Asks him to rectify an omission in the wardrobe; hope he has received his Literary Fund Report. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 17.7cm.

15. 1855, 8 July: Stanfield, C[larkson], 1793-1870, [London, England]. To Lemon, Mark, 1809-1870.

    The "drop" for The Illustrated is done; sends the sketch for the Lighthouse. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 15.2cm.

16. 1855, 1 Dec.: A'Beckett, G[ilbert Abbott], 1811-1856. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Discusses his writings; mentions Mrs. A'Beckett. Autograph Letter Signed. 8p., 17.9cm.

17. 1858, 9 May: Forster, John, 1812-1876, [London, England]. To Lemon, [Mark], 1809-1870.

    Wants to call on him this afternoon. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 10.9cm.

18. 1859, 28 Oct.: Kingsley, C[harles], 1819-1875.

    Envelope, signed. 1p., 6.9cm.

19. 1861, 31 Mar.: _____, Brighton, [England]. To Lemon, Mark, 1809-1870.

    Will see him on his return to town. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 17.7cm.

20. 1862, 20 Apr.: Chancellor of the Exchequer [Gladstone, William Ewart], 1809-1898. To _____.

    Thanks the author for the copy of his book. Autograph Letter. 1p., 17.6cm.

21. 1865, Feb.: B[rooks], S[hirley], 1815-1874. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Vacationing in Sussex; write whether you come or not; has done a little work; Pall Mall Gazette is dull; wants a card for the Reporter's Gallery this season. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 18.1cm.

22. 1866, 9 July: B[rooks], S[hirley], 1815-1874. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Advises him on his health; discusses writing; will be at the dinner on Wednesday; plans to be out of London for a while. Autograph Letter Signed. 3p., 25.5cm.

23. 1867, 12 Jan.: Hook, W[alter] F[arquhar], 1798-1875, Leeds, [England]. To _____.

    If a new edition of his lecture is needed, he has some corrections to make; asks that copies be sent to 3 persons he names. Autograph Letter Signed. 3p., 10.8cm.

24. 1867, Feb.: Lemon, Mark, 1809-1870., [London, England]. To [Lemon, Helen] Nelly.

    Just finished the Almanac; too late to come down by the 6 o'clock train. Autograph Letter Signed. 2p., 18cm.

25. 1869, 7 May: Compton, Henry, 1805-1877, [London, England]. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Thanks for his interest on his behalf and his aid in getting a position for his son Charley on the Museum. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 17.5cm.

26. 1869, 25 June: B[rooks], S[hirley], 1815-1874, [London, England]. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Hopes to hear best possible news of Lally [Alice Lemon]; describes party at the Club; conversation with friends till 3. Autograph Letter Signed. 2p., 17.9cm.

27. 1869, 17 Aug.: B[rooks], S[hirley], 1815-1874. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Encloses his document; leaving place they have been visiting; short of money; discusses writing. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 17.5cm.

28. [1870], 5 July: Roberts, Emma C., Brighton, [England]. To _____.

    Sends autograph of Guiseppe Garibaldi. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 18cm.

29. 1880, 3 Aug.: Burnand, F[rancis] C[owley, Sir], 1836-1917, London, [England]. To _____.

    No better example than Mark [Lemon], "our Heaven Born Editor." Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 18cm.

30. 1881, 9 Mar.: L[ongfellow], H[enry] W[adsworth], 1807-1882, Camb[ridge, Mass.]. To _____, Charles.

    Asks for name of the Secretary of the Dante Society. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 13.7cm.

31. 1881, 3 Dec.: Locker [-Lampson], F[rederick], 1821-1895.

    Autograph Poem Signed. 1p., 24cm.

32. 1887, 7 Oct.: Garrod, Alfred B[aring, Sir], 1819-1907. To Martin, T.H.

    Would be glad to see him and his patient. Autograph Letter Signed. 2p., 15cm.

33. 1888, 25 July: Temple, H.[?] To Lemon, Helen.

    Has some recollection of the poem; glad to release it. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 21cm.

34. no year, 21 Feb.: Taylor, Tom, 1817-1880, [London, England]. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Mentions Thackeray and Dickens. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 19.1cm.

35. no year, 13 July: Bernard, Bayle. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Found their friend considerably worse; since he knows Lord Lytton he should write to him; must have support before applying to the Society. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 17.9cm.

36. no year, 27 Sept.: James, [Thomas], 1809-1863. To _____.

    Discusses art, architecture, and writing; mentions Lockhart and Ruskin. Autograph Letter Signed. 3p., 18cm.

37. no year, 5 Oct.: Morton, J[ohn] M[addison] [?], 1811-1891, Liverpool, [England]. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Writes about the production of plays. Autograph Letter Signed. 3p., 18cm.

38. no year, 25 Nov.: Brooks, Shirley, 1815-1874. To Lemon, Mark, Mrs.

    Sends two books to "tow young ladies of our acquaintance". Autograph Letter Signed. 2p., 17.9cm.

39. undated: A'Beckett, [Gilbert Abbott], 1811-1856. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Congratulates him on the success of a play [?]. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 18cm.

40. undated: Ainsworth, W[illiam] Harrison, 1805-1882.

    Envelope, Signed. 1p., 6.6cm.

41. undated: Alvanley, Lord [Arden, William, 1789-1849 or Arden, Richard Pepper, 1792-1857?], Bath, [England]. To Murray.

    Orders several books. Autograph Letter. 2p., 18.5cm.

42. undated: Bernard, A.H.[?]. To Lemon, [Mark], 1809-1870.

    Will call on him tomorrow. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 17.5cm.

43. undated: [Brooks], S[hirley], 1815-1874. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Has corrected proof; comments on the correspondence and writing. Autograph Letter Signed. 2p., 17.4cm.

44. undated: [Brooks, Shirley?], 1815-1874. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Will leave Saturday morning unless he receives telegram; sends addresses. Autograph Letter. 2p., 17.4cm.

45. undated: [Browne, Halbot Knight], "Phiz", 1815-1882.

    "Going to the Fair". Drawing (pencil). 1p., 10.4cm.

46. undated: [Browne, Halbot Knight "Phiz"?], 1815-1882.

    "Disappointment of enraged Pedagogue". Drawing (pencil). 1p., 17.7cm.

47. undated: [Browne, Halbot Knight "Phiz"?], 1815-1882.

    "Landscapes & Queer Figures". Drawing (pencil). 2p., 17.9cm.

48. undated: [Browne, Halbot Knight "Phiz"?], 1815-1882.

    Untitled Drawing (pencil). 1p., 18.2cm.

49. undated: [Browne, Halbot Knight "Phiz"?], 1815-1882.

    Untitled Drawing (pencil). 1p., 11.1cm.

50. undated: Burnand, F[rancis] C[owley, Sir], 1836-1917. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Discusses articles for Punch; mentions Thackeray and others; writes about plays. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 18cm.

51. undated: Canning, Stratford, Sir, 1786-1880. To Murray.

    Orders several books. Autograph Letter. 3p., 18cm.

52. undated: D[ickens], C[harles], 1812-1870, Tavistock House, [London, England]. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Would be delighted to see his friend. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 18.6cm.

53. undated: Doyle, Richard, 1824-1883, [London, England]. To Lemon, [Mark], 1809-1870.

    If he has the costume he wore when he played Falstaff, an artist would like to borrow it to use as a model. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 17.6cm.

54. undated: K [DuMaurier, George], 1834-1896. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Can he come and see him and the "blocks" he is making for him? Autograph Letter. 1p., 15.7cm.

55. undated: [Jerrold, Douglas William], 1803-1857. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Has inflammation of the eye; will dictate his copy. Autograph Letter. 1p., 18cm.

56. undated: Leigh, Percival, 1813-11889, [London, England]. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Encloses an article [not present]. Autograph Letter signed. 1p., 11cm.

57. undated: L[ocker-Lamson], F[rederick], 1821-1895, Crawley, [England]. To _____.

    Possible editors for the Art Journal may have the portrait they spoke about. Autograph Letter Signed. 2p., 17.5cm.

58. undated: Morton, J[ohn] M[addison] [?], 1811-1891. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Must have another look at Come in!; does not like him to write for other theaters. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 17.7cm.

59. undated: Smith, Albert, 1816-1860. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Has not been writing; thinking of reviving his Man in the Moon; will he dine with him at the Garrick tomorrow; has made up his misunderstanding with Dickens. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 17.6cm.

60. undated: Taylor, T[om], 1817-1880, [London, England]. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 19cm.

61. undated: [Tenniel, John, Sir], 1820-1914. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Will not be at the dinner; perhaps "the enclosed" [not present] will be of some use to Taylor; please do not show them to anyone else. Autograph Letter. 1p., 17.8cm.

62. undated: [Tenniel, John, Sir], 1820-1914. To [Lemon], Mark, 1809-1870.

    Not Able to attend dinner; hopes to get away for last day of hunting season. Autograph Letter Signed. 2p., 17.7cm.

63. undated: Thackeray, W[illiam] M[akepeace], 1811-1863, [London, England]. To Senior, Mrs. [Nassau William].

    Asks her to excuse him from a dinner engagement so he can have dinner with several old friends from Punch. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 20cm.

64. undated: T[hackeray], W[illiam] M[akepeace], 1811-1863. To Lemon, [Mark], 1809-1870.

    Asks for the Irish paper that he cancelled; perhaps he can use it. Autograph Letter Signed. 1p., 18cm. Accompanied by a water color painting of a Christmas feast, unsigned, dated 1849.

65. undated: White, Maude Valerie, 1855-1937, [London, England]. To Lemon, Miss.

    Would like to set her poem Lend me your heart to music; cannot pay much for it; among the "shoals of verses" that are sent to her, hers is one of the few she really admires. Autograph Letter Signed. 4p., 17.9cm.

66. undated: Envelopes (2). Unidentified.