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Lot #485
Arthur Conan Doyle

Doyle displays "the Oscar Wilde exhibit" at his Psychic Book Shop & Museum

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Estimate: $400+
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Description

Doyle displays "the Oscar Wilde exhibit" at his Psychic Book Shop & Museum

ALS signed “A. Conan Doyle,” one page both sides, 5 x 8, Gloucester Hotel letterhead, August 13. Letter to Frances Williams, in part: "Your reports are models. The results are, I think, remarkable for this time of year. The Museum keeps that average of £1 a day which I had hoped for. There was an excellent & intelligent article about it in 'News of the World.' Very wet here—but we hope for the best. I think that rather untidy picture & written document on the right of the door out of the Museum could come down and the Oscar Wilde exhibit take its place. Put the other in a safe place as it belongs to the L.S.A. Tell Miss Dallas, as from yourself, that we would take as many as 50 of her 'Mors Janua Vitae' if at half price. Otherwise we are not increasing our stock. Stock Tweedale's book to the front all you can. It is a good one." In fine condition.

For many of his later years, Doyle intensely pursued his interest in paranormal phenomena, and by the end of World War I he identified himself as a spiritualist, believing in a spirit world and the ability to communicate with those beyond the grave. He established the specialized Psychic Bookshop in 1925, devoted entirely to the sale of spiritualistic and psychic books; he later formed a small museum in the basement, showcasing various objects relevant to ghosts and the spirit world. In one exhibit, he displayed an authentic letter by Oscar Wilde, written to Doyle in his lifetime, as well as a communication from him after his death, received via 'automatic writing' through the hand of Mrs. Hester Dowden.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #568 - Ended October 10, 2019





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