Leslie's Letters to his Mother, being a Collection of Messages Received by Henry Martyn Stringfellow and Alice Johnston Stringfellow, his Wife, through the Medium of the Planchette in the Form Known to Psychology as Automatic Writing, in the Privacy of their Own Home, and Never before Published in Any Form With comment by Arthur Conan Doyle

Alice Stringfellow, with comment by Arthur Conan Doyle

Published by Democratic Publishing and Printing Co, 1926

About this Item

Rare first (and only) edition, with a slip signed by Doyle affixed to the second title page above the calling card facsimile. From the collection of Vincent Starrett, with his bookplate affixed to the front pastedown. Apparently limited to 100 copies, although the actual number that were bound and circulated is believed to be much less, the volume consists of a collection of spirit letters, which were written in Galveston, Texas, during 1887 and 1888 with the assistance of a planchette. These letters were believed to be from the deceased son of Alice Stringfellow, the author of the collection. Before the manuscript was published, it was sent to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. His letters of approval, a significant endorsement given his stature, were included in the book in both transcribed and facsimile forms. These spirit letters are extensive in detail, with some of the more notable ones spanning up to five pages in manuscript form. Rare, missing from nearly every Doyle collection and with only about a dozen copies listed in WorldCat. Fayetteville, AK: Democratic Publishing and Printing Co, 1926. Rebound in eggshell white cloth, hinges reinforced, lettered in gilt; pp. x, 145, [5]. In very good condition. Binding remains tight, sturdy and square, light stains to spine ends, minimal shelfwear. Very faint erased bookseller notation to flyleaf, else internally quite clean. Seller Inventory # ABE-1708454923566

Bibliographic Details

Title: Leslie's Letters to his Mother, being a ...

Publisher: Democratic Publishing and Printing Co

Publication Date: 1926

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition