An exemplar as distinct as its source, this signed letter was written entirely by one of the most important authors of the 20th century: George Orwell (1903–1950). Not only is handwritten material of Orwell’s as uncommon as his own uniquely successful brand of prose, but this singular example bears the writer’s given name, Eric. Indeed, the master novelist closed the note with a rather robust inscription of the forename few would identify as the writer’s own. And what occasioned this seldom-seen penning? Orwell’s message was directed to one of his closest “friends,” Miss Eleanor Jacques. In full, the letter reads: “In haste—I will meet you as you say on Wednesday, 2:20 p.m., at side National Gallery. Also on Friday, I would like to travel down with you, for tout am [sic] ever ready to start out in the middle of the night as you propose. Let’s make quite sure about the time, however, because last time I took Eclipse I was left in the soup thro’ train starting from a different place & at a different time without warning anybody. Till Wednesday, au revoir & love—(signed) Eric.” Interestingly, recently found correspondence between Orwell and Jacques confirms that the pair carried on a secret relationship through a period in which Jacques was engaged to Dennis Collings. The 4.75 x 6.25 memo is dated December 19, 1932 and exhibits fine condition (slightly irregular left edge from opening). Orwell seldom revealed much about himself, and the offered gem is quite evocative as a view into his secret relationship with Eleanor Jacques. Though the pen name “George Orwell” was officially born on January 9, 1933 upon the publishing of Down and Out in Paris and London, we do not doubt that, for Miss Jacques, Eric Arthur Blair was delighted to sign his given name. RRAuction COA.
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