DOYLE, Arthur Conan (1859-1930). Autograph manuscript signed three times (''A.Conan Doyle''), Undershaw, Hindhead, c.1898.

DOYLE, Arthur Conan (1859-1930). Autograph manuscript signed three times ("A.Conan Doyle"), Undershaw, Hindhead, c.1898.

14 pages (including title page), vellum binding, 193 x 320mm (old pin holes to upper left corners of leaves, remnants of label to page one).

An autograph manuscript from the author of Sherlock Holmes. "A Shadow Before" tells the story of John Worlington Dodds, "a ruined gamester of the Stock Exchange" and his comeback on the brink of the Franco-German war via a trade written in cipher. "I am a bear of everything German and French. Sell, sell, sell, keep on selling," he instructs his partner. The story first appeared in December 1898 in Windsor Magazine before being published in book form in the The Green Flag, Holmes's 1900 collection of thirteen short stories. The present manuscript appears to be final, and was perhaps the printer's copy that was then returned to Doyle. It bears numerous minor emendations – essentially a deft round of finishing touches that give a glimpse of Doyle's creative process. These include changes throughout to the story's setting (Rossmore becomes Dunloe) as well as to the gender of a character referred to as "the boots"; tweaks to dialogue; and a dusting of added description that aids in the story's flow. The vellum-bound manuscripts were commissioned by Doyle's family. Provenance: American Art Association, 30 January 1923, lot 240 – Sotheby's New York, 10 December 1993, lot 315.

Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY FROM THE ROGER D. JUDD COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL LETTERS, DOCUMENTS AND MANUSCRIPTS