Fine Books & Manuscripts

[DOYLE, Arthur Conan (1859–1930), the Curnow Collection]. –– DIXON, William Hepworth. New America. London: Hurst and Blackett, 1867. 2 volumes, 8vo. Numerous steel engraved plates. Half early dark green leather over marbled boards, raised bands, gilt filets in compartments, red morocco spine label gilt (boards and corners rubbed, some splitting to joints at ends). Provenance: The Curnow Collection presented by Sir. A. Conan Doyle (large bookplates in each volume). Second edition. Leslie Curnow is most remembered as an occultist and his involvement in Doyle’s two–volume work The History of Spiritualism first published in 1924. In the author’s preface, Doyle confesses: “I cannot admit too fully the loyal assistance which he [Curnow] has given me, and if I have not conjoined his name with my own upon the title–page it is for reasons which he understands and in which he acquiesces”. After Curnow died in 1926, Doyle purchased a significant portion of his library.