ALS signed “C. L. Dodgson,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 3.25 x 5.25, black-bordered letterhead, Ch[rist] Ch[urch], February 5, 1877. Letter to 13-year-old Dolly Draper. In part: “Here is the portrait of the man I told you about. He is no relation of mine (but I have known him all my life)—at least, if he is a relation, I don’t know what sort of relation you would call him—He is about the same age as I am, but he certainly isn’t my brother, nor any kind of cousin. By-the-way, what is your birthday? You have told me your age—& I suppose you were born in 1864.” In fine condition, with a rusty paperclip mark to top of front page. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign records a photograph of C. L. Dodgson inscribed, “Dolly Draper from Lewis Carroll, Feb. 5, 1877.”
A second ALS, signed in the text, “Mr. Dodgson,” with the letter’s closing signature having been clipped off and replaced with a facsimile, 4.5 x 7, three pages on two adjoining sheets, April 12, 1877. A second letter to Draper, Dodgson writes, in part: “I think the only way to prevent you all forgetting me again…is to send each a copy of some one of my 3 books…I’ll tell you what I was thinking of sending…—For Jessie, Alice’s Adventures…for Roger, the Snark…& for you, the Looking-glass…With these helps, you may perhaps remember me for a while, but it will give a far better chance if you would put me in among your Modern History dates…—And then if even Roger says ‘Why, I don’t believe you care a fig for Mr. Dodgson,’ you can say ‘Ah, but I care a date for him!’” Letter is in fine conditiion, with aforementioned removed signature. Accompanied by its original Walter Benjamin Autographs folder. Outstanding association to both his famed pen name and his two best-loved works. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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