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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ALS Re: Holmes

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:0.00 USD
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ALS Re: Holmes
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Exceptional Sir Arthur Conan Doyle autograph letter signed, “Arthur Conan Doyle.” Single page, octavo, on “Old Ship Hotel, Brighton” stationery. Written to actor Oliver Peters Heggie, best remembered for his role as the blind hermit who befriends the Monster (Boris Karloff) with wine and tobacco in “The Bride of Frankenstein.” In full: “My dear Sir / Just a line to thank you again for your splendid Holmes. It really is a very excellent performance. Your disguise is so remarkable that I have grave doubts whether your audience give you the personal credit which is your due. Why not in taking the call restore the contour of your face & doff your wig. I’m sure they think it is a double. / Yours very trly, / Arthur Conan Doyle.” “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is one of 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. First published in “Strand Magazine” in February 1892, Conan Doyle, who later revealed that he thought this was his best Holmes story, wrote and produced a play based on it. O.P. Heggie appeared as Sherlock Holmes in the 6-25 February 1911 production of “The Speckled Band: An Adventure of Sherlock Holmes” at London’s Strand Theatre. Conan Doyle had playfully listed in all programs since opening night that “C. Later” played the part of “Peters – a Butler.” In the play, Holmes disguised himself as the butler and his pageboy, Billy, was disguised as Peter’s young daughter, Amelia. In fact, the actor who portrayed Holmes was also Peters, but Conan Doyle wanted the audience to think that another actor was Peters. Heggie’s disguise as the butler was so good that Conan Doyle wished he had given Heggie the credit he deserved. In another letter he had asked Heggie if it were possible for him to quickly remove his disguise as he left the stage at the end of a scene. Evidently, he didn’t. Now, he asks the actor if he could reveal he was also the butler during the curtain call. The name “C. Later” continued to appear in the programs of future productions of “The Speckled Band.” A magnificent full page letter. Letters by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle referring to Sherlock Holmes are rare and sought after by collectors. The letter offered here, signed in full, is exceedingly desirable in that it is entirely about a Holmes play written by Conan Doyle, who desired to give additional credit to an actor’s performance as Sherlock Holmes. This is without a doubt the finest Arthur Conan Doyle letter we have ever encountered. Inconsequential light toning to margins, the text and signature remain dark and prominent. In fine condition.