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DOYLE, SIR ARTHUR CONAN. 1859-1930. Autograph Manuscript Signed ("Arthur Conan Doyle"), entitled "The Prisoner's Defence," 13 pp, 4to, Crowborough, East Sussex, c.1916,
11 April 2016, 10:00 EDT
New YorkUS$20,000 - US$30,000
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DOYLE, SIR ARTHUR CONAN. 1859-1930.
Autograph Manuscript Signed ("Arthur Conan Doyle"), entitled "The Prisoner's Defence," 13 pp, 4to, Crowborough, East Sussex, c.1916, in ink on yellow-ruled paper, secured at upper left by a metal clasp, overall toning with some light soiling. Housed in a red morocco-backed slipcase.
An interesting short story using the Great War as its background, first published in Collier's (January 8, 1916), followed by The Strand Magazine (February 1916), and finally in Danger! and Other Stories (1919). The introductory paragraph was greatly expanded for magazine publication, but the prisoner's confession is nearly identical to the published text. Page 12 is the most revised portion of the manuscript with numerous passages crossed out and new ones added. Notably Conan Doyle changed one character from "Monsieur Le Bas" to "Hubert Verdun". Set during World War I, a captain in the Second Breconshire Battalion is accused of murdering a beautiful woman and he refuses to deny it. He confesses that he fell madly in love with the young French teacher, whom he kills when he learns that she is really a German spy. His defense concludes without a verdict being rendered. It is left to the reader to decide. Even in a short story about a World War I incident, the detective within Conan Doyle shines through. He was the master of mystery and intrigue.
An interesting short story using the Great War as its background, first published in Collier's (January 8, 1916), followed by The Strand Magazine (February 1916), and finally in Danger! and Other Stories (1919). The introductory paragraph was greatly expanded for magazine publication, but the prisoner's confession is nearly identical to the published text. Page 12 is the most revised portion of the manuscript with numerous passages crossed out and new ones added. Notably Conan Doyle changed one character from "Monsieur Le Bas" to "Hubert Verdun". Set during World War I, a captain in the Second Breconshire Battalion is accused of murdering a beautiful woman and he refuses to deny it. He confesses that he fell madly in love with the young French teacher, whom he kills when he learns that she is really a German spy. His defense concludes without a verdict being rendered. It is left to the reader to decide. Even in a short story about a World War I incident, the detective within Conan Doyle shines through. He was the master of mystery and intrigue.