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Harte, Bret. The Ghosts of Stukeley Castle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Harte, Bret. The Ghosts of Stukeley Castle
Harte, Bret. The Ghosts of Stukeley Castle (1836-1902) American author who gained fame for his poems and articles about the American West. Autograph Manuscript Signed at the end of the story, 11 pages, 4to, written in black ink on fine paper watermarked "Savoy Cirencester," with eagle emblem, each sheet consisting of two 8vo sheets neatly pasted together at center (probably by Harte), [England], n.d. [1893 or later].The first nine pages are paginated and bear numerous corrections and revisions; the two additional pages bear lengthy insertions. Fine. Enclosed in the original wrapper with a memorandum written in Harte's hand: "First MSS Ghosts of Stukely Castle" and housed in a blue morocco case with gilt border and lettering; edges are bumped.

Attached to the manuscript is the printed version, as the story appeared. This, while substantially the same in theme, shows several changes in arrangement, which accentuate the value of the original manuscript.

Bret Harte often visited England and lived there from 1885 until his death in 1902. He befriended the Earl of Compton and visited him at Compton Wynyates, one of the most famous Tudor mansions in England and the inspiration of "The Ghosts of Stukeley Castle." The incidents narrated take place on Christmas Eve and are told through the eyes of a "Western Barbarian" resident in England. Collected in Colonel Starbottle's Client, and Some other People (1892).
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.

Our item number 154281