ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / ECONOMY & WORK

Here's how Much a Manuscript for the Second Sherlock Holmes Story Could Fetch at an Auction

The handwritten final copy draft of "The Sign of Four" is expected to fetch close to $1.2 million, given its significance and status as the most valuable manuscript by Conan Doyle.
PUBLISHED APR 7, 2024
Cover Image Source: Sotheby’s New York
Cover Image Source: Sotheby’s New York

Sherlock Holmes is perhaps one of the most memorable characters in the history of literature, and enjoys relevance to this day through a popular show as well as cinematic adaptations. Not many may know that the two English authors, Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde, first found visibility through Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. It was in July of 1889 that Joseph Marshal Stoddart, general manager and editor of Lippincott's Monthly Magazine decided to cross the Atlantic Ocean to meet the two English authors in England. What followed was an eventful dinner and months of talking until the two stories, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Wilde and "The Sign of Four," by Conan Doyle were published in the magazine. The letters that are now up for sale, include the letter that outlines the events of the dinner as well the exchange of letters that led to the final draft.

An autographed manuscript of "The Sign of Four," Sir Arthur Conon Doyle's second Sherlock Holmes story, from 1889, along with a set of letters recounting a fateful dinner at the Langham Hotel in London is up for sale by Sotheby’s New York, alongside other literary treasures, via CNN.


A portrait of poet and novelist, Oscar Wilde, (1854-1900) | Getty Images | Photo by Napoleon Sarony
A Portrait of Poet and Novelist, Oscar Wilde, (1854-1900) | Getty Images | Photo by Napoleon Sarony

"It’s hard to think of two contemporary authors who might be less similar than Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde," Selby Kiffer, the auction house’s international senior specialist for books and manuscripts, told CNN.

The handwritten final copy draft of "The Sign of Four" is expected to fetch close to $1.2 million, given its significance and status as the most valuable manuscript by Conan Doyle.

Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | 	Bettmann | Getty Images
Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | Bettmann | Getty Images

The original manuscript is in mint condition and Stoddart’s edits to Americanize spellings and a few other crossed-out words that Conon Doyle himself had done. As per Kiffer, these edits are unique to this manuscript as all the other manuscripts by Authur Conan Doyle which are mostly displayed in museums have almost no edits. 

"Whether Doyle spent a lot of time just thinking out in his mind before he put the words down… but it seems to have sprung almost fully formed, from his mind to his pen," he added.

The "Sign of Four" which was the second story by Sir Arthur Conon Doyle was commissioned by Joseph Marshall Stoddart, to capitalize on the popularity of the first adventure story "The Study in Scarlet." According to Doyle's autobiography, he called this occasion a "golden evening." 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | Bettmann | Getty Images
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | Bettmann | Getty Images

This manuscript is said to be just one part of a collection that was collected by Dr. Rodney P. Swantko, a Chicago-based collector, who died two years ago. Other fractions include four novels by F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of which is a copy of  "The Great Gatsby" he signed from Scott and Zelda.

Stoddart was reportedly eager to produce the English version of Lippincott’s with a British editor and British contributors.  According to the website, buyers from across borders can participate in the auction, as international shipping is available. The description section on the official website says that the manuscript is a " first-edition copy of the second Sherlock Holmes."

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
Fans were also left as confused as the contestant after seeing the puzzle.
20 minutes ago
The iconic "Jeopardy!" champion has been hosting the show for many years now.
16 hours ago
The host remembered the times he was bullied as a young kid after hearing the chant.
20 hours ago
The greeting caught Steve Harvey by surprise, and he took several seconds to regain his composure.
23 hours ago
The nascent nature of the company prevented the sharks from investing in it.
2 days ago
Harvey seemed quite annoyed after the guest revealed her surprise and rightfully so.
3 days ago
Both Rick and his son Corey had a lot of luaghs while talking about this item for obvious reasons.
3 days ago
She was just happe to be with Drew Carey on stage, and perhaps did not expect such a big win.
3 days ago
The segment started with a couple of people entering the stage wearing cakes over their heads.
3 days ago
The valuation he asked for was as crazy as the outfit he wore, and the sharks said no.
3 days ago
The contestant's answer had no lewd intention but Steve Harvey made sure it did.
4 days ago
Fans of the gameshow are known to be vocal about their needs and this was just an example of that.
4 days ago
The guest stood firm at what he wanted and Harrison was forced to raise his low-ball offer.
4 days ago
The contestant was confident in his abilities and he steered his team to an impressive win.
4 days ago
The sharks could not believe what they had just witnessed but it sure was entertaining.
5 days ago
The guest said that she wanted $15,000 but had to settle for just a couple grand.
5 days ago
Fans of the show were shocked she was not able to get it right after coming so close.
5 days ago
Corcoran was confident that the entrepreneur would take her deal but that was not the case.
6 days ago
The host's expressions upon seeing the answers on the board were absolutely priceless.
6 days ago
The guest was a friend of the Harrisons and he turned out to be quite the negotiator.
6 days ago