The The Pickwick Papers reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

The Pickwick Papers

The Pickwick Papers is the first novel by Charles Dickens. It was originally an idea by Robert Seymour the illustrator, which Dickens was asked to contribute to as an up and coming writer following the success of Sketches by Boz, published in 1832. Dickens, overconfident as ever, increasingly took over the unsuccesful monthly publication and Seymour committed suicide. With the introduction of Sam Weller the book became the first real publishing phenomenon, with bootleg copies, theatrical performances, Sam Weller joke books and other merchandise.

The novel has been filmed several times, including:

• 1913 - a silent short starring John Bunny as Pickwick and H. P. Owen as Sam Weller
• 1921 - The Adventures of Mr Pickwick, silent, starring Frederick Volpe and Hubert Woodward
• 1952 - starring James Hayter and Harry Fowler

There have also been BBC radio and television adaptations.

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