Bonhams 1793 : DOYLE (ARTHUR CONAN) Autograph letter signed, [?1902]

Autograph letter signed, to "My dear Sir", discussing his latest publication: "I don't see what we can do about bringing out the book yet, though Mr Smith [of Smith Elder & Co.] is keen upon it, we know it cannot exceed the length you mentioned. Could we not have covers all ready and everything prepared to shorten the delay when once it is finished. Mr Smith points out that 9 pounders should be 12 pounders on page 376. Could you change that for me"; and informing him that he will next be at Edinburgh and the Reform Club, one page, integral blank, small chip to margin, one-inch split at central fold, 8vo, [Paris], 27 Rue des Batignolles, undated [? late 1902]

Sold for £750 inc. premium

Footnotes

CONAN DOYLE SEES HIS BOER WAR HISTORY THROUGH THE PRESS: from the reference to "9 pounders should be 12 pounders on page 376", the book discussed in this letter can be provisionally identified as The Great Boer War published by Smith Elder in 1902, where at page 375 there is a corresponding reference to Percy Scott's famous naval guns: 'Besides these there were no fewer than sixteen naval guns from H.M.S. "Terrible" fourteen of which were 12-pounders, and the other two of the 4.7 type which had done such good service both at Ladysmith and with Methuen'. Conan Doyle emulating his fictional counterpart Dr Watson had served as a volunteer doctor at Bloemfontein between March and June 1900.

Category: Books / Books, Maps and Manuscripts

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