Details
STEVENSON, ROBERT LOUIS. Autograph letter signed ("R.L.S.") TO HIS PARENTS, [Paris] "Unknown cafe, corner Rue St Honoré, Rue des Pyramides," n.d. [13 October 1881]. 3 1/2 pages, 8vo, in light brown ink on tan paper, a fold skilfully strengthened.
"ALL IS RIGHT ABOUT 'TREASURE ISLAND'"
Written on his way through Paris to Davos: "I have come out here [to the cafe] to get room to write...About the chair [of Professor of Constitutional History at Edinburgh University]: I have been so much advised and counter-advised that I put myself in my father's hands. He can get an application printed in my name if he please. I do not suppose that will be forgery and anyway there is my authorization..."
Stevenson asks for two history books, gives Andrew Lang's address, and continues: "...About the new book [Familiar Studies of Men and Books?, published in 1882], some more corrections will come as soon as I get to Davos and can sit down. The Preface I may even try to attack en route. [William Earnest] Henley will give my father all the advice and help possible. He will call soon. He will manage America for us through Brander Matthews. All is right about Treasure Island [meaning that the inspiration for working on the book had returned]. You must order Young Folks [a periodical which first published Treasure Island] from a news agent. I had a very amusing visit there indeed; ordered away by the clerks, who refused loudly to believe I had any business; and at last received kindly by my publisher!..." In closing Stevenson gives news of Henley, talks of his family, and notes: "...I have found out what is wrong with me, by the way; I look like a Pole! I find I forgot to ask [his wife] Fanny, and she forgot to tell me about the wardrobe key...I feel mostly better since I passed the [English] channel, and have steadily overeaten myself..."
Provenance: Autograph Letters, Original Manuscripts...from the Library of...Stevenson, Part I, Anderson Galleries, 23 November 1914, lot 95.
"ALL IS RIGHT ABOUT 'TREASURE ISLAND'"
Written on his way through Paris to Davos: "I have come out here [to the cafe] to get room to write...About the chair [of Professor of Constitutional History at Edinburgh University]: I have been so much advised and counter-advised that I put myself in my father's hands. He can get an application printed in my name if he please. I do not suppose that will be forgery and anyway there is my authorization..."
Stevenson asks for two history books, gives Andrew Lang's address, and continues: "...About the new book [Familiar Studies of Men and Books?, published in 1882], some more corrections will come as soon as I get to Davos and can sit down. The Preface I may even try to attack en route. [William Earnest] Henley will give my father all the advice and help possible. He will call soon. He will manage America for us through Brander Matthews. All is right about Treasure Island [meaning that the inspiration for working on the book had returned]. You must order Young Folks [a periodical which first published Treasure Island] from a news agent. I had a very amusing visit there indeed; ordered away by the clerks, who refused loudly to believe I had any business; and at last received kindly by my publisher!..." In closing Stevenson gives news of Henley, talks of his family, and notes: "...I have found out what is wrong with me, by the way; I look like a Pole! I find I forgot to ask [his wife] Fanny, and she forgot to tell me about the wardrobe key...I feel mostly better since I passed the [English] channel, and have steadily overeaten myself..."
Provenance: Autograph Letters, Original Manuscripts...from the Library of...Stevenson, Part I, Anderson Galleries, 23 November 1914, lot 95.