[Charles Dickens.] Proof before the letters on India paper of steel engraving by Robert Graves of portrait of Dickens by Daniel Maclise. From the collection of Lumb Stocks, RA.

Dimensions of engraving 12 x 10cm. Paper size 24 x 16cm. Mount size 50 x 34cm. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with no foxing. Card mount with light spotting and wear to extremities. No engraved text whatsoever. Stocks has written in light pencil at the foot of the paper: 'Chas. Dickens | Painted by D. Maclise R.A Engd. by Robt. Graves ARA'. Surprisingly scarce. (Not to be confused with William Finden's oval stipple engraving of the same portrait.) Not present in the National Portrait Gallery or the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the only copy traced a rather ropey copy at the New York Public Library. Stocks bequeathed his print collection to the British Museum; the present print was among a number retained by the family, and purchased from the estate of Harold Carpenter Lumb Stocks (1884-1956), organist of St Asaph Cathedral.