Description:

George Bernard Shaw
[Ayot St. Lawrence, Hertfordshire, England], July 26, 1943
George Bernard Shaw ALS Re: Well-known Irish Poem, "Lalla Rookh"
ALS
A 1p autograph letter signed by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) as "G. Bernard Shaw" at lower right. July 26, 1943. [Ayot St. Lawrence, Hertfordshire, England.] On a custom stationery card of heavyweight stock, the printed letterhead listing Shaw's country address in Ayot St. Lawrence, telegram, and telephone contact information. Expected wear including light toning and scattered stains not affecting the legibility of the clear and bold handwriting. Else very good to near fine. 3.5" x 4.5."

Shaw wrote this letter to "Mr. Fitzpatrick" who had evidently inquired about the resale value of a copy of the romance "Lalla Rookh," first published by Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779-1852) in 1817.

Shaw wrote in part:

"Dear Mr Fitzpatrick

As Lalla Rookh was published in 1817, this is not a first edition. It has, I fear, no value.

At all events I do not collect such things, and know very little about them.

faithfully

G. Bernard Shaw."

It is interesting to hear Shaw, Ireland's most famous 20th century writer, refer to the work of his compatriot Moore, active more than a century earlier. In Moore's aforementioned romance, which consists of four poems and a prose narrative, the protagonist Lalla Rookh is the invented daughter of the real life Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. "Lalla Rookh" [Lala-Rukh] translates to "tulip-cheeked" in Persian, and is a term of endearment found in Persian poetry. The emperor's daughter falls in love with a king disguised as a poet; unlike in many Irish tales, the exotically staged story ends happily. It has inspired operas and even films.

George Bernard Shaw lived and worked at his home in Ayot St. Lawrence, Hertfordshire, England, located about 30 miles north of London, between 1906 and his death in 1950. The Arts & Crafts style house situated on several acres is called "Shaw's Corner" and is now managed by the National Trust. The site still features Shaw's unique writer's retreat, a 64-square-foot clapboarded shack elevated on a rotating track which enabled the author to best catch the sun's rays over the course of a day.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 3.5" x 4.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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