Lot Details
Lot 155
IRVING, WASHINGTON Autograph manuscript leaf from The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus.
A single-page manuscript in Irving's hand on watermarked laid paper, circa 1828 or earlier, the sheet headed Chapter 7. Columbus before the Council of Salamanca above about 20 lines with approximately 140 words, the text with a number of corrections in Irving's hand. 7 x 4 1/2 inches (18 x 11 cm); offered with an engraved portrait. Small losses at corners and a few creases but overall a dark and well preserved specimen.
Provenance: Parke Bernet, 21 & 22 April 1947, lot 410; to Goodspeed's Book Shop Boston (the manuscript housed in their folder with description)
An autograph fragment from Washington Irving's The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus. In 1826, Irving became a diplomatic attaché in Spain, where he gathered the materials for his eventual book on Columbus. The episode here, which describes Columbus at Salamanca, corresponds with Chapter III in Book II of the published book, although with considerable changes. In this manuscript, Irving writes: "The interesting conference took place at Salamanca, the great seat of learning in Spain. It was held in the Dominican convent of St. Stephen ... in which Columbus was lodged and entertained with great hospitality during the course of the examination... A simple mariner standing before this imposing array of ecclesiastical dignity and scholastic learning, to defend his theory by the aid of natural eloquence..."
C The Collection of Jay I. Kislak sold to benefit the Kislak Family Foundation
Additional Notes & Condition Report
No condition report? Click here to request one.