NEW YORK, Dec 16, 2001/ --- The heart of SoHo was transformed into a Dickensian Christmas wonderland last December 11 when luxury accessories company Montblanc threw a street party to celebrate the opening of its new boutique.

The cobblestones of SoHo’s Greene Street came alive with Christmas carolers, horses and buggies, hot apple cider and roasted chestnuts, in a holiday block party which wass open to all New Yorkers.

Tim Curry, who plays Ebenezer Scrooge in the current Madison Square Garden production of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” was on hand. And Catherine Dickens, Charles Dickens’ great-great-great-granddaughter, flew in from Budapest to present Curry with Montblanc’s new Charles Dickens Limited Edition Writing Instrument.

“My great-great-great-grandfather’s legacy was one of goodwill and love. He taught us about the true meaning of Christmas and it is in this spirit that Montblanc has invited the City to come together and celebrate,” Catherine Dickens said.

Both Curry and Catherine autographed any copies of the classic book, “A Christmas Carol,” that New Yorkers brought to the event which was held right near Montblanc’s new store at 118 Greene Street, (between Prince and Spring streets) between 6pm and 8pm.

Established in 1906 by a stationary trader, a banker and an engineer, Montblanc is now part of Swiss luxury goods company Richemont. Its North American operations include 50 freestanding boutiques, 30 shop-in-shops and 67 outlets in jewelry and department stores.