ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.75 x 6.5, personal letterhead, December 10, 1903. Hale describes the circumstances under which he conceived the idea for his Civil War allegory, ‘The Man Without a Country.’ In part: “You are quite right about the history of the book. We spent two or three weeks that summer in your father’s house. Your mother was in Europe. I had the story in my mind and wanted to print it in the October Atlantic. It required a great deal of reading for preparation, particularly the reference to the Navy—and in a less degree to Aaron Burr. There is no place in the world where I could read so well for this, as in the Antiquarian Library. For instance, I read all the Navy Reports, from 1804 to the times I recollected myself, so that I might have names of ships & officers, and at the same time, might never use the name of a ship while she existed, or an officer while he served. This is the difference between fiction and history. How much of the book was written there—I cannot now recollect. But you will be quite right in saying that the book was begun there.” In fine condition, with horizontal fold and scattered soiling. Accompanied by a signed photo of Hale and his son, the original mailing envelope, and a letter from a gentleman referencing Hale’s letter. RRAuction COA.
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