Single strand of Charles Dickens' hair to go on display at Leather Bottle pub in Cobham
Presentation to Leather
Bottle pub in Cobham of a strand of Charles Dickens' hair
by Thom Morris
tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk
A rare strand of Dickens’ hair has been donated to the
Leather Bottle pub in Cobham.
Dickens enthusiasts were given the chance to get their hands on
the author’s hair – a single strand – as part of the £100,000
campaign to save the writer’s chalet at Eastgate House in
Rochester.
Cobham resident Ian Rons, who won the piece of hair in a raffle,
donated it to the pub – which has strong links with Dickens.
It is mentioned in Pickwick Papers and Dickens stayed at
the pub in real life.
Dickens lived at Gad’s Hill Place at Higham, just a few miles’
walk across the fields from the inn.
The hair was given to the Rochester and Chatham Dickens
Fellowship by Fraser’s Autographs in London, which has a selection
of original cheques, letters and other memorabilia in the hand of
Charles Dickens.
The hair originally belonged to Georgina Hogarth, sister of
Catherine, whom Dickens married in 1836.
The couple separated in 1858 but Georgina shared Dickens’ home
from 1842 until his death in 1870 – a fact which caused scandalous
rumours about their relationship.
Mayor of Medway Cllr Vaughan Hewett, who joined Ian to hand the
hair over at The Street pub, drew the winning ticket during the
Rochester Christmas Dickens Festival.
A similar lock went on sale earlier this year for £495.
02/01/13
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