Lot 407
Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan (1859-1930) Scottish writer and physician, best known for creating the character of detective Sherlock Holmes. Autograph letter signed ("A Conan Doyle"), 2 pages, on letterhead of The Grand Hotel Melbourne, Nov. 2, 1920. Reflecting Doyle's belief in Spiritualism, he advises "My dear Seymour" not to follow through on his "Russian idea….Do not reach out for more, but if more is ordained it will come to you with no doubt and no effort. If you take this spiritual matter seriously & quickly not only cultivate it but spread it around you, you will do great work. God has His own purposes in Russia and will pick up the right tool for His work, without the tool needing to worry over it. I send you a 'Harbinger of Light'…Up to now I have been greatly upheld & feel as fit as when I started. Adelaide was glorious. Melbourne is heavy and material but we make an inpression. I have one last meeting…and then to Sydney where we culminate….I am glad I came--but I never had much say in the matter--a tool also, but a very willing one." He expects that Seymour will be going to India soon and recommends spiritual books by Emma Hardinge Britton, calling her "a female St. Paul, with a man's virile brain, clear, fearless & herself a great medium. In A.J. Davis, Hardinge Britton, Stainton Moses, and Vale Owen you have the spiritual sequence." Light toning, fold wear, small tape repairs to folds and small edge splits. Twenty of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books are about Spiritualism and he traveled all over the world to promote his ideas, including a trip to Australia and New Zealand in 1920 and 1921.
Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,800.
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| Realized $1,110 |
