BIB_ID
412851
Accession number
MA 6395
Creator
Carroll, Lewis, 1832-1898.
Display Date
Oxford, 1883 May 11.
Credit line
Gift of Arthur A. Houghton, Jr., 1987.
Description
1 item (2 pages) ; 15.4 x 10.1 cm + envelope
Notes
Envelope to "Mrs. Heurtley / Ch. Ch."
Written from "Ch. Ch.", Carroll's abbreviation for Christ Church.
This item is part of the Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. Lewis Carroll collection. The large collection includes printed books, letters, manuscripts, puzzles and games, personal effects and ephemera, which have been cataloged separately.
The letter is signed C.L. Dodgson. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson adopted the pseudonym "Lewis Carroll" in 1856 when publishing a poem in "The Train." He used the pseudonym when publishing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and other works, but wrote under his given name, Charles Dodgson, when publishing mathematical works and in daily life. For administrative purposes, all manuscripts are collated under the name Lewis Carroll.
Written from "Ch. Ch.", Carroll's abbreviation for Christ Church.
This item is part of the Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. Lewis Carroll collection. The large collection includes printed books, letters, manuscripts, puzzles and games, personal effects and ephemera, which have been cataloged separately.
The letter is signed C.L. Dodgson. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson adopted the pseudonym "Lewis Carroll" in 1856 when publishing a poem in "The Train." He used the pseudonym when publishing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and other works, but wrote under his given name, Charles Dodgson, when publishing mathematical works and in daily life. For administrative purposes, all manuscripts are collated under the name Lewis Carroll.
Provenance
From the Arthur A. Houghton, Jr., Lewis Carroll collection; gift of Arthur A. Houghton, Jr., 1987.
Summary
Concerning his wish that she not share any example of his handwriting; saying he is not sure if the request came from her or her daughter but asking "...kindly not to give away any specimen of my handwriting? Let me explain my motives : it is a thing I often have to do - people seeming to assume that everybody likes notoriety, & scarcely believing me when I say I dislike it particularly. My constant aim is to remain, personally, unknown to the world : consequently I have always refused applications for photographs or autographs - as my features & handwriting belong to me as a private individual - & I often beg even my own private friends, who possess one or the other, not to put them into albums where strangers can see them. Trusting you will understand this & not think me discourteous, I remain very truly yours, / C.L. Dodgson."
Catalog link
Department