JAMES HENRY Autograph Letter Signed Uncle Henry James to the

Sale 2376 - Lot 198

Price Realized: $ 3,500

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 5,000 - $ 7,500

"THE ABOMINATION OF THE [SINKING OF THE] LUSITANIA" JAMES, HENRY. Autograph Letter Signed, "Uncle Henry James," to the wife of his nephew Mrs. William James ("Dearest Alice"), almost entirely on events and reflections concerning the start of World War I. 4 pages, 4to, personal stationery, written on the recto and verso of separate sheets; concluding lines written vertically in upper margin of first page. With the original envelope. (TFC) London, 20 May 1915

Set Alert for Similar Items

Additional Details

". . . Events move fast, in this tremendous tide, & many things, mainly horrible, have happened since you wrote. The abomination of the Lusitania has been easily the greatest horror . . . . [W]e are waiting here in an intensity of suspense for the German answer to that admirable note of the President's [Wilson] . . . . [T]he difference the note has made in one's power to hold up one's head as an American is unspeakable, a priceless liberation. . . . All this fearful recent fighting has been too horribly paid for--but the payment can only go on & on & on. Strangely does the soul harden & toughen in the midst of it all; we sup on horrors & only get used to them, after a fashion, & to the direst losses & mutilations & mournings. . . ."
". . . [T]he further away you all are the better. . . ."
Writing here as an American, James became a British subject the same year and remained such.