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DICKENS'S ORIGINAL A CHRISTMAS CAROL NOW ON VIEW THROUGH JANUARY 4 AT THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM
MANUSCRIPT OF BELOVED STORY
ONE OF THE MUSEUM'S GREAT TREASURES
BOOK IS CENTERPIECE OF THE MORGAN'S HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING
New York, NY, November 20, 2008—Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Mr. Fezziwig, Bob Cratchit, the Ghost of Christmas Past—in the age of film and television these characters from Charles Dickens's Christmas Carol are universally familiar. The story has been told as a stage musical, a serious dramatic film, and a modern comedy.
 But, in the end, it all comes back to a magical book written by Dickens in a six-week flurry of activity in late 1843. Greeted with universal acclaim at the time of publication, A Christmas Carol might rightfully be called an "instant masterpiece." William Makepeace Thackeray called it a "national benefit" and an American factory owner gave his workers an extra day's holiday when he had finished reading it.
When the manuscript was returned after printing Dickens arranged for it to be finely bound in red morocco leather and presented it as a gift to his solicitor. It was purchased by Pierpont Morgan in the 1890s. Beginning on November 20, and running through January 4, visitors to The Morgan Library & Museum can view the original manuscript by Dickens in a special presentation in the museum's famed McKim Building.
The manuscript reveals the author's method of composition: the pace of writing and revision, apparently contiguous, is rapid and boldly confident. Revisions are inserted for vividness and immediacy of effect. Deleted text is struck out with a cursive and continuous looping movement of the pen, and replaced with more active verbs and fewer words to achieve greater concision. Dickens's manuscript shows vividly his efforts to create the highest-quality literary work in the shortest possible time.
The Morgan's holiday programming will also include the presentation of traditional and popular holiday music by singers from the Mannes College of Music on Friday, December 5, and Friday, December 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The museum is free during these hours.
On Sunday, December 7, from 2 to 5 p.m., the Morgan will hold its annual holiday family celebration. The event will include art workshops, costumed characters, and special performances.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Winter Family Day Celebration
Join us for our annual family day celebrating the exhibitions Drawing Babar: Early Drafts and Watercolors and Charles Dickens's Christmas Carol. Travel back to the days of Victorian London as you mingle with Dickens's characters and watch the Babar stories come alive through performances, art, yoga workshops, puppet shows, and more.
Sunday, December 7, 2008, 2 to 5 p.m.
All events are included with admission to the Morgan.
Schedule:
1:30 to 5 p.m.
Christmas Present!
The Grand Falloons company leads visitors into this lively celebration of Victorian London with impersonations of Christmas Carol characters Scrooge, Cratchit, the Ghosts of Christmas Present and Past, and with a few magic tricks.
2 to 3 p.m.
The Lion's Whiskers
The Catskill Puppet Theater presents a musical adaptation of a traditional Ethiopian folktale featuring a cast of human characters and favorite African animals brought to life through a multitude of masks and puppets varying from near life-size to gigantic.
Limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
2:30 to 2:45 p.m.
Christmas Carol Reading
Morgan staff read a brief excerpt from Charles Dickens's Christmas Carol. Scrooge, however, may try to interfere...
2:30 to 2:50 p.m.
Jean de Brunhoff's Babar
Actor Doug Manes impersonates Babar's creator and in a short tour of the exhibition Drawing Babar, explains to children how the story and book came about.
3 to 5 p.m.
Babar on Sticks
The Catskill Puppet Theater artists share the secret of some of their puppets and lead children into the creation of a Babar or Celeste puppet using the ancient technique of shadow puppets. (Workshop)
3 to 5 p.m.
Elephant Yoga for Kids
Integral Yoga Institute instructor offers children a moment of quiet relaxation inspired by famous Laurent de Brunhoff's book Babar's Yoga for Elephants.
3 to 5 p.m.
One Trunk and Two Tusks Make a Mask
Children make a Babar mask with artist and educator Deborah Lutz. (Workshop)
3:30 to 3:45 p.m.
Christmas Carol Reading
Morgan staff read a brief excerpt from Charles Dickens's Christmas Carol. Scrooge, however, may try to interfere...
3:30 to 3:50 p.m.
Jean de Brunhoff's Babar
Actor Doug Manes impersonates Babar's creator and in a short tour of the exhibition Drawing Babar, explains to children how the story and book came about.
4:30 to 4:45 pm
Christmas Carol Reading
Morgan staff read a brief excerpt from Charles Dickens's Christmas Carol. Scrooge, however, may try to interfere...
4:30 to 4:50 p.m.
Jean de Brunhoff's Babar
Actor Doug Manes impersonates Babar's creator and in a short tour of the exhibition Drawing Babar, explains to children how the story and book came about.
THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM
A complex of buildings in the heart of New York City, The Morgan Library & Museum began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, one of the preeminent collectors and cultural benefactors in the United States. Today it is a museum, independent research library, musical venue, architectural landmark, and historic site. A century after its founding, the Morgan maintains a unique position in the cultural life of New York City and is considered one of its greatest treasures. With the 2006 reopening of its newly renovated campus, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, the Morgan reaffirmed its role as an important repository for the history, art, and literature of Western civilization from 4000 B.C. to the twenty-first century.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Morgan Library & Museum
225 Madison Avenue, at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016-3405
212.685.0008
www.themorgan.org
HOURS
Tuesday–Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; extended Friday hours, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Monday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The Morgan closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
ADMISSION
$12 for adults; $8 for students, seniors (65 and over) and children (under 16); free to Members and children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. Admission is free on Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission to the period rooms is without charge during the following times: Tuesday, 3 to 5 p.m.; Friday, 7 to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 4 to 6 p.m. Admission is not required to visit the Morgan Shop.
Image captions:
John Leech, Third Visitor or the Ghost of Christmas Present (detail), original watercolor illustration for Charles Dickens's Christmas Carol, first edition, 1843, The Pierpont Morgan Library, purchased by Pierpont Morgan; MA 97.
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