Robert Louis Stevenson PSA MINT 9 Signed Vailima, Samoa Check Re: American Planter

A check signed by Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) as "R.L. Stevenson" on the payee line. January 9, 1892. [Vailima, Samoa.] Encapsulated and PSA/DNA graded MINT 9. The Turner and Henderson (Sydney, Australia) partly printed check is engrossed by Stevenson with the date ("Jan 9th [189]2"); check number ("541"); addressee ("H.J. Moors Esq"); and memo ("Guy Alisio $6.00 six dollars curincy" [sic]). Minor toning recto and mounting traces verso, else near fine. The check measures 5" x 3.25" while the slab measures 10.125" x 6.625."

Stevenson cruised around the Pacific after 1888, visiting Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, and the Gilbert Islands. Stevenson and his family decided to settle permanently in Samoa, purchasing property in Vailima, a village just outside of the capital Apia, in January 1890. Construction of their two-story wooden residence, Villa Vailima (now the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum), was completed in April 1891. Stevenson died at Vailima of a stroke at the age of 44 in December 1894 and is buried on the slopes of nearby Mount Vaea.

"H.J. Moors Esq" referred to Stevenson's close friend, Harry Jay Moors (1854-1926). The American trader and planter had emigrated to Samoa in the late 1870s/early 1880s and later married a Samoan woman. A novelist, diarist, and archivist of Stevenson's papers, Moors published his recollections of his friend, "With Stevenson in Samoa" (Boston: Small, Maynard, & Co., 1910).

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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