06-01-201306-01-2013
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2658BBoston
June 1, 2013 11:00 AMCalender
5

Alcott, Louisa May (1832-1888) Autograph Letter Signed, [c. 1868].

Sell one like this
$12,000$10,000
Auction: Books & Manuscripts - 2658BLocation: BostonDate / Time: June 01, 2013 11:00AM

Description:

Alcott, Louisa May (1832-1888) Autograph Letter Signed, [c. 1868].
Small laid paper bifolium inscribed on all four pages. To Thomas Niles, her publisher, making editorial notes pursuant to the publication of Little Women. Folded, with an ink smudge of the author's partial fingerprint, formerly mounted, with a thin scrim of paper from the mount adhering to the blank margin along the fold on the verso; 5 x 4 in. when folded.
Mr. Niles,
I send the design with May's alterations. She cannot do much but has put a snood onto Meg, & shaded here and there.
About the title, we think that if a second one is needed, "Meg, Jo, Beth & Amy" simply, is enough, for it isn't the story of their lives, & any-thing like "the story of" [crossed out] a year of their times is suggestive of Leslie Goldthwaite. My sister does not want to be identified as one of the little women & prefers to have it stand - "illustrated by May Alcott."
Pray excuse this untidy note but my small nephew is in my lap recovering from a tumble & his gambols are not conducive to elegance of handwriting.
Yours in haste,
L.M.A.

Estimate $3,000-4,000


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Keywords

Louisa May, Thomas Niles, Leslie Goldthwaite