22 Nov 2011
10:30 GMT
London, New Bond Street
Books, Maps, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs, including the Property of the late Michael Silverman
Back to auction 18992
Books, Maps, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs, including the Property of the late Michael Silverman
Back to auction 18992
DE QUINCEY (THOMAS)
Three autograph letters signed, to the philosopher James Ferrier, largely concerning his testimonial for Ferrier and his struggles in writing it, and assuring him of the high opinion he holds for his essay 'An Introduction to the Philosophy of Consciousness' (for which, see the entry on Ferrier in the ODNB), 6 pages, integral blank, one with address panel, 8vo and 12mo, 1845, 1852 and "Thursday evening"
Sold for
£2,000
inc. premium
Footnotes
- 'USING STIMULANTS. BUT THAT WHICH VIVIFIES ALSO KILLS': De Quincey struggles to write a recommendation for James Ferrier, a philosopher whom he admires but who held Coleridge in low esteem (accusing him of plagiarism and poor knowledge of German): "I have utterly failed; my paper is a mass of incoherencies; and I have failed by the very means which I used as extra resources for succeeding, viz. sitting up all Saturday night; and (secondly) using stimulants. But that, which vivifies, also kills and at dusk last night I was obliged to give up the struggle for that day; and I went to bed".
Category: Books / Books, Maps and Manuscripts
Auction terms and conditions
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Luke Batterham
Bonhams
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Books, Maps and Manuscripts
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