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Lot 407
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James Fenimore Cooper’s "The Headsman" Manuscript Fragment
James Fenimore Cooper’s "The Headsman" Manuscript Fragment
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Description:

James Fenimore Cooper
Europe, ca. 1832-1833
James Fenimore Cooper's "The Headsman" Manuscript Fragment
AM

JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, Autograph Manuscript, ca. 1832-1833, 2 pp., 9.5" x 3.5"; a portion of Chapter 28 of "The Headsman, Or The Abbaye des Vignerons", first published in 1833.

This fragment in the handwriting of James Fenimore Cooper comes from his novel "The Headsman: The Abbaye des Vignerons". Set in Switzerland, its title character is Balthazar, the headsman, or official executioner, of the canton of Berne. Many critics consider it to be one of Cooper's most accomplished novels.

Traveling in Europe inspired James Fenimore Cooper to write three "European novels," including The Bravo , 2 vols. (1831), The Heidenmauer (1832), and The Headsman: The Abbaye des Vignerons (1833), all set in Europe and all contrasting society and politics in Europe with American institutions.

A letter from Cooper's youngest son, written fifty years later, attests to the fragment's authenticity.

Together with:
- Paul F. Cooper, Autograph Letter Signed, to Grace Lawrence, July 30, 1886, attesting to the authenticity of the fragment. 2 pp., 5" x 8"
- Two lithographic images of Cooper, and
- The title page of The Headsman from The Works of James Fenimore Cooper , published by Colonial Press Company of Boston and New York, ca. 1900.

Complete Transcript [text in Roman type in the manuscript but not published]:

"was distinctly given, and it was in perfect accordance with the private information that had already been gleaned by the authorities. He had passed the last habitation on the mountain, on foot and alone, about an hour before the solitary horseman, who was now known to be Jacques Colis, was seen to proceed in the same direction; and he admitted that he was overtaken by the latter, just as he reached the upper extremity of the plain de, where they were seen in company, though at a considerable distance, and by a doubtful light, by the travellers who were conducted by Pierre.
Thus far the account given of himself by Maso was in perfect conformity with what was already known to the châtelain; but, after turning the rock already mentioned in a previous chapter, all was buried in mystery, that was in fearful harmony with the frightful sterility of the place, with the exception of the incidents that have been regularly related in the narrative. The Italian, in his further explanations, added that he soon parted with his companion, who, impatient of the delay, and desirous of reaching the convent before night, had urged his beast to greater speed, while he himself had turned a little aside from the path to rest himself, and to make a few preparations that he had deemed necessary before going directly to the convent.
The whole of this short history was delivered with a composure as great as that which had just been displayed by Pippo and the pilgrim; and it was impossible for any present to detect the slightest improbability or contradiction in the tale. The meeting with the other travellers in the storm Maso ascribed to the fact of their having passed him while he was stationary, and to his greater speed when in motion; two circumstances that were quite as likely to be true as all the rest of the account.

[verso]
"Signore," said the smuggler, changing color but endeavoring to speak lightly of a discovery which all the others present evidently considered to be grave, "it would seem that the dog, accustomed to do these little offices in behalf of his master, has been tempted by success to attempt a speculation on his own account. By my patron saint and the Virgin! I know nothing of this second adventure!"
"Trifle not, but undo the belt, lest I order have the beast muzzled that it may be performed by others," sternly commanded the châtelain.
The Italian complied, though with an ill grace that was much too apparent for his own interest. Having loosened the fastenings, gave the envelope to the Valaisan. The latter cut the cloth, and laid some ten or fifteen different pieces of jewelry on the table. The spectators crowded about the spot in curiosity, while the judge eagerly referred to the written description of the effects of the murdered man.
"A ring of brilliants, with an emerald of price, the setting chased and heavy," read the Valaisan.
"Thank God, it is not here!" exclaimed the Signor Grimaldi. "for one could wish to find so true a mariner innocent of this bloody deed!"
The châtelain believed he was on the scent of a mystery secret that had begun to perplex him, and as few are so inherently humane as to prefer the advantage of another to their own success, he heard both the announcement and the declaration of the noble Genoese with a frown.
"A cross of turquoise of the length of two inches, with pearls of no great value intermixed," continued the judge.
Sigismund groans groaned and turns turned away from the table.
"Unhappily, here is that which too well answers to the description!" rejoined the Signor Grimaldi.
"Let it be measured," demanded the prisoner.
The experiment was made, and the agreement was found to be perfect
"Bracelets of rubies, the stones set in foil, and six in number," continued the methodical châtelain.
"These are wanting!" cried Melchior de Willading, who took a friendly lively interest in the fate of Maso. "There are no such jewels here!"

Paul F. Cooper to Grace Lawrence, July 30, 1886
Albany July 30 1886
Miss Lawrence:
I enclose the bit of MS. It is from the "Headsman".
The two sides are not continuous, come from a half-sheet written over in the ordinary way, beginning at the top of each page. I believe you will find the matter in the 27th Chapter of the novel or thereabouts. The book was written in Europe and on very large half sheets of paper, more than 14 inches by 9.
I would gladly tell you, if I knew, where a signature could be found, but I do not. There are of course many of them but I do not know where to direct you for one.
Yours resply
Paul F. Cooper

James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) was born in New Jersey, the son of a wealthy land agent who founded Cooperstown, New York. Cooper attended Yale University but was expelled in 1805 and spent five years at sea on merchant and naval ships. He married in 1811 and settled in New York. He wrote his first novel in 1820 and two more in the next three years. In 1823, he began the Leatherstocking Tales, a series of novels focused on a Native American in different periods of his life. He traveled in Europe from 1826 to 1832, and when he returned to America, he wrote a series of conservative political essays and novels that diminished his popularity.

Paul F. Cooper (1824-1895) was born in New York, as the youngest child of James Fenimore Cooper and Susan Augusta Delancey Cooper. He graduated from Hobart College, studied law at Harvard University, and became a member of the firm of McMartin and Jenkins in Albany, New York.

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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