SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH
(1885). Photograph. Sepia-colored albumen photographic print (5-3/8" x 7-5/8") of Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) after Sir Percy Florence Shelley SIGNED "Robert Louis Stevenson" on the verso of the brown paper mount to Will H. Low/from phot. of Sir P. Shelley Bart." Low has dated the photograph 1885 and monogrammed it "WHL" below Stevenson's inscription. Taken between the publication of TREASURE ISLAND and THE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, the photograph depicts Stevenson in profile draped with an amorphous cloak concealing everything but one corner of a stiff collar, his longish hair tucked behind his ears. Light creasing with moderate discoloration and fading to the image. Photo mount edges are weakened and repaired at bottom left and right corners. A Good example of a scarce SIGNED photo of Stevenson. Item #018642
Will H. Low, 1853-1933, was an American painter and illustrator, friend and dedicatee of a published poem by Stevenson. Sir Percy Florence Shelley, 3rd Baronet of Castle Goring, a friend of Stevenson's, was the son of writers Sir Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) and Mary Shelley (1797-1851). This landed gentleman of impressive literary heritage was also an amateur photographer. Stevenson dedicated his 1889 work THE MASTER OF "BALLANTRAE to Shelley and his wife.
Price: $4,500.00