Lot 625
Conan Doyle, Arthur (1838-1930) British mystery novelist; he studied medicine and used his knowledge of deductive reasoning in his highly renowned Sherlock Holmes series. He introduced Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson in "A Study in Scarlet" (1887). Autograph letter signed ("A Conan Doyle"), 1p, 7 x 5 in., on red, embossed crested stationery of The Hôtel Métropole, London, [1911, to O.P. Heggie]. In full, "My dear Sir / I am sure your performance will be admirable. You might just speed up two parts which drag, the end of Scene II Act II after Watson's exit, and the examination of the wall in the last scene. With best wishes A Conan Doyle." Ink blot by Conan Doyle in a blank area at the end of a line. Fine condition. This letter was purchased from a member of the Heggie family. Oliver Peters Heggie (1877-1936) is best remembered for his later role as the blind hermit who befriends the Monster (Boris Karloff) with wine and tobacco in "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935).
"The Adventure of the Speckled Band" is one of 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. First published in "Strand Magazine" in February 1892, Conan Doyle, who later revealed that he thought this was his best Holmes story, wrote and produced a play based on it. "The Speckled Band" premiered in London at the Adelphi Theatre on June 4, 1910 with H.A. Saintsbury as Holmes. On August 8th, it moved to the Globe Theatre with a few cast changes, closing on 29 October 1910. In the United States, "The Speckled Band" played for limited engagements at the Boston Theatre in October and November 1910 and New York's Garrick Theatre in November and December 1910. O.P. Heggie appeared as Sherlock Holmes in the February 6-25, 1911 production of "The Speckled Band: An Adventure of Sherlock Holmes" at London's Strand Theatre.
Letters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle referring to Sherlock Holmes are rare and sought after by collectors. Only two such letters have appeared on the market in the last decade. One signed "A.C.D." referred to "the Cardboard Box story" and "S.H." and sold for just over $12,000 at Sotheby's London in 1999. The other, signed "A Conan Doyle," brought $16,838.50 at a public auction last year. Its only Holmes reference was the phrase "Of course the Holmes stories are all criminal studies." The letter offered here, signed "A Conan Doyle," is exceedingly desirable in that the renowned detective's creator gives advice to an actor about to portray Sherlock Holmes on the London stage and is the only Conan Doyle letter we've ever seen mentioning Watson.
Estimated Value $8,000 - 10,000.
|
| |
| Unsold |
