LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Apr Books, Manuscripts & Autographs #658  / 

25368

Robert L. Stevenson Group w/ Original Art

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD
Robert L. Stevenson Group w/ Original Art
<B>Magnificent Robert Louis Stevenson Typed Manuscript Accompanied by Seven Original Drawings by the Author</B></I> An eleven page (8.5" x 11") typed narrative, in the form of a letter dictated to Isobel Strong (Stevenson's stepdaughter who often served as his scribe), dated Jan. 30, 1892 and written from his estate Vailima ("Five Rivers") on one of the Samoan Islands. Written to his good friend, American artist Will H. Low, the narrative is much in the style of the Vailima Letters, which would be published posthumously in 1895. The letter is written in the first person from the perspective of Isobel, allowing for a playful exchange to occur via the use of footnotes ostensibly made by Stevenson. The manuscript is accompanied by seven original pencil drawings depicting various scenes described, all bearing his holograph in a caption and three including his initials, "<I>R.L.S.</B></I>". The letter opens: "Mr. Stevenson has been laid up for some time with a slight attack of the influenza, and when I went up to his study just now I found him surrounded with proofs, MS., and letters and mail day staring him in the face. I asked if there was any service a minx could render him, and he handed me your letter and begged me to answer it, describe Vailima, our daily life and surroundings, and tell you he had* footnote indicated answered your last letter and would like to reply to this one, if the proofs of his last story were no so ----- and here his language, I regret to say, became scriptural." The corresponding footnote at the bottom of the page reads: "Which answer the post must have engulfed. R.L.S.". The letter continues: "If by any chance you landed at Apia, you would find a straggling village along the beach, the houses all facing the sea, and the villagers gathered to gaze upon you, I think you would notice --- as I did --- how exactly the shade of the Samoan matches the color of a light bay horse; you would find one (a horse) waiting for you, held, let us hope the last three words are struck through in pencil , by our pet man Lafaele, a powerful fellow with curling dyed red hair and shawl lava-lava (kilt). At one time in the early history of Vailima and old red table-cloth composed his simple attire. He and his wife, our table maid, wore it in turn about last word crossed out in pencil until it was finally wrested from their grasp and shawls substituted. Lafaele would leave the way along a road that has no name* footnote ". The footnote beneath reads: "It is the Siumu road. And the man's name is Lafaele. R.L.S." Beneath which, Isobel retorts: "(Well nobody calls it that anyway!) I.S. (Who cares.)" Which elicits further response from the author: "I know you can't pronounce it, however its spelt. R.L.S." The letter continues: "They think of calling it the Trivoli-Weber road after the head of the German firm and a public house, it might be called Tuanamanono from the village it passes, but we call if boldly "The Valima Road" after Stevenson's estate . Anyway it is a beautiful road, muddy to be sure, and rocky, and slippery in wet weather, like a "Highland burn" as Lloyd says "only no trout" but still a fine road. It goes by a few native houses on the outskirts of the village… here you may meet on the road a few of their black boys, miserable cringing creatures, with packs on their backs, and down-cast eyes. I once heard the story of an actor strutting in front of the theatre and a small boy plucking him by the coat, "Say Mister are you anybody in particular?" It is a question you want to ask of nearly every passing Samoan. With what a haughty step he takes the stage --- road I mean --- what elaborate dignity and swagger in his walk. He gives you "talofa" (the salutation meaning *my love is you) like an alms, and passing leaves you dazed with admiration…" The footnote beneath reads: "Doubtful what it means, but something about love. R.L.S. Through this spelling R.L.S. has drawn a line and noted above 'see before'" There is an additional notation typed in the right margin of this page citing another correction made by Stevenson: "(Stevenson printed in caps over I.S.'s writing)" . The narrative continues for another nine pages in this playful vein. <BR><BR>There are seven original drawings in varying sizes, mostly measuring 7" x 7.5" and all on thin drafting paper, depicting various scenes included in the narration. The drawings include: 1) A male standing figure depicted from behind in three-quarter profile with his arms crosse in front of him. He is bare-footed and wearing a t-shirt and 'shawl'. The caption, in Stevenson's hand, reads, "<I>kitchen boy</B></I>". 2) A woman walking (from behind) carrying a tree in her arms. She is followed by a male figure carrying a shovel. Stevenson's caption reads: "<I>madame & her breadfruit trees</B></I>". 3) Stevenson's house set in a rich landscape of trees and foliage with a caption reading: "<I>Front of the house</B></I>". 4) Stevenson dictating this narrative to Isobel in his book-lined study, He is smoking and standing in front of his piano (there is a nice passage referencing his piano playing in the letter) with a long caption containing his initials: "<I>I give you a subject for a painting! RLS dictating a novel to his step-daughter, Behold the absorbed interest in her intelligent eye!</B></I>". 5) Stevenson giving a history lesson to Isobel's son: "<I>history lesson, R.L.S, - Austin Strong.</B></I>" 6) a woman standing bare-footed and smoking: "<I>faama in the old table-cloth. Like her figure but not her face - RLS. It is like her face!</B></I>" 7) A drawing of the end of the road as described in a passage. <BR><BR>The drawing paper has light wrinkles as is typical of this type of paper, but the pencil marking is quite clear and visible. Overall condition of the entire grouping is very good to near fine. The typed manuscript has various pencil markings throughout and upon reading as well as context provided by the drawings, it is not unlikely that they were made by Stevenson. Exceptional grouping capturing the writer's home life as well as additional supplement to his writings in the <I>Vailima Letters.</B></I> This small archive was obtained directly from the family of artist Will H. Low, whose extensive correspondence with Stevenson is now housed at Princeton University. <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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