Dickens, Charles (ed.) The Daily News. January 21, 1846. Broadsheet, eight pages on four folded...
Dickens, Charles (ed.) The Daily News. January 21, 1846. Broadsheet, eight pages on four folded sheets, text in six columns. The first issue of Dickens' own newspaper dedicated to 'Principles of Progress and Improvement; of Education, Civil and Religious Liberty, and Equal Legislation'. Dickens' hope was to offer a Liberal alternative to The Times and Morning Chronicle. Dickens himself contributed. This issue features the first of his letters from Italy as "Travelling Letters. Written on the Road". This would later be published as the first chapter of Pictures from Italy. Amongst the more traditional news, the paper championed the development of and investment in railway companies and often featured other commercial news. The paper started well, selling 10,000 copies (as compared to The Times circulation of around 25,000) but it soon fell to 4,000. Dickens grew disillusioned and handed it over after seventeen issues to John Forster. Despite the rocky start, the paper would grow in prominence and circulation. By the end of the century it was claiming to have 'the largest circulation of any Liberal Paper in the world.' This first issue appears rare and is an intriguing ephemeral piece of Dickensiana.
To be sold in aid of the Trussle Trust food charity