J.F. Cooper 130+ Word Manuscript Fragment From "The Bravo," With Outstanding Provenance from Daughter Susan

An autograph manuscript fragment from acclaimed American novelist James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851), comprising approximately 137 words overall, from Chapter XXVIII of what would become "The Bravo: A Tale" (Philadelphia: Carey & Lea, 1831). The manuscript fragment is double-sided and measures 9" x 1." It is hinged at the bottom of a March 17, 1884 autograph letter signed by Susan Fenimore Cooper (1813-1894), who performed secretarial duties for her father. Susan's letter provides more information about where and when Cooper penned the manuscript excerpt. The letter is accompanied by its original transmittal envelope, as well as a check dated April 10, 1849 signed by James Fenimore Cooper as "J. Fenimore Cooper."

Comparable auction returns for James Fenimore Cooper autograph manuscript fragments from "The Bravo" have ranged from $1,300 to $2,800 depending on the length of the extract. A manuscript copy of the closing paragraph of "The Bravo," Chapter VI, signed by Cooper, sold at Sotheby's New York in October 1989 for $1,300; while an unsigned 2pp autograph manuscript fragment of "The Bravo," Chapter XXVII, sold at Sotheby's New York in December 2001 for $2,500. Please refer to the included listings from American Book Prices Current for more information.

Cooper's "The Bravo: A Tale" is set in 18th-century Venice. It tells the tragic story of Jacopo Frontoni, called the bravo, a shrewd, political fixer employed by Venetian aristocrats to surreptitiously advance their interests. Jacopo is eventually falsely accused of murder and executed, and, in this way, he is a scapegoat for a corrupt Venetian society. Cooper used "The Bravo" to reveal how Venice, long upheld as a republican standard, was really an evil oligarchy in disguise. He intensely criticized the European definition of a republic and explicitly juxtaposed it with the "real" version found only in the United States. "The Bravo" constitutes the first book in Cooper's so-called European trilogy which also includes "The Heidenmauer" (1832) and "The Headsman" (1833).

The lot includes:

1. A double-sided autograph manuscript fragment by James Fenimore Cooper comprising approximately 137 words total, both excerpts from "The Bravo," Chapter XXVIII. N.d., n.p. but identified by Susan Cooper as ca. 1830, Paris, France. With a few minor ink blots and isolated areas of foxing, and hinged to Susan Cooper's letter, else near fine. 9" x 1."

The obverse of the manuscript, where we count approximately 71 complete words (excluding partial), appears on pages 403-404 of the 1859 W.A. Townsend and Company published version of "The Bravo." It corresponds to the following text:

"the fatal…virtue, and which have enough to do, at…representation of all its interests is far more necessary to a worldly than to a simple people, since responsibility, which is the essence of a free government, is more likely to keep the agents of a nation near to its own standard of virtue than any other means. The common opinion that a republic cannot…take the trouble to inquire into its truth…"

The reverse totals 66 words and contains a direct reference to the protagonist Jacopo. It appears on page 407 of the 1859 W.A. Townsend and Company published version of "The Bravo," in full:

"'Is he so jealous of his honor with the oar?'
'Diamine! I have seen the time when Jacopo would sooner die than lose a race; but that was before he carried [a] stiletto. Had he kept to his oar the thing might have happened, - but once known for the hire blow, it seems unreasonable he shou[ld] set his heart so strongly on the prizes of the canals…'"

2. A 2pp autograph letter signed by Susan Fenimore Cooper, as "Susan F. Cooper" at center verso. March 17, 1884. Cooperstown, New York. Three of the lines have been contemporaneously crossed out, and the letter shows expected wear including folds, wear, and mounting residue/tabs, else very good. Cooper's manuscript fragment is folded and hinged at right to the bottom of Susan's second page. 3.875" x 6.125." The original transmittal envelope engrossed by Susan Fenimore Cooper is included, bearing a canceled stamp and three philatelic hand stamps.

Cooper wrote to an autograph collector from San Luis Obispo, California, in part: "…I enclose a scrap of M.S. just as he [Cooper] wrote it fifty years since…The scrap of M.S. is taken from the Bravo, written at Paris in 1830…"

3. A check entirely endorsed by James Fenimore Cooper, signed by him as “J. Fenimore Cooper" on the signature line. Check No. 597 drew on accounts held at the Otsego County Bank in Cooperstown, New York and authorized the payment of $15 dollars to Susan (presumably Susan Fenimore Cooper) on April 10, 1849. The check bears a red cancellation hand stamp at center. Near fine. 6.125" x 2.625."

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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