Scott Sir Walter

Sir Walter Scott ALS Regarding Life of Napoleon Buonaparte

1p ALS inscribed and signed by Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) as "W.S." near the center. Undated, but circa 1826-1827, during which time Scott was completing The Life of Napoleon Buonaparte, Emperor of the French. With a Preliminary View of the French Revolution (Edinburgh: Cadell & Co., 1827). On cream bifold stationery. A later collector inscribed on the third page: "Autograph. From Sir Walter Scott to James Ballantyne, his Confidential Printer accompanying part of the Proof sheets of Sir Walter's Life of Napoleon, written in 1826. - " Expected wear including light paper folds. Minor mounting traces, else near fine. Each page measures 3.875" x 4.75". Ex Ray V. Denslow (see biography below.)

In part, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"Dear James



I have peculiarly nothing to say except that I send proofs and copy for Napoleon which will be suppled regularly



yours truly



W.S."

Scott had first achieved celebrity with his Waverly Novels (1814-1832), Rob Roy (1817), and Ivanhoe (1820). He wrote his biography of Napoleon Bonaparte between 1826-1827, over the course of a difficult period that also included crippling financial hardships and the death of his wife Charlotte. The work, which ran over 1,000,000 words, was eventually published in 9 volumes. It was produced after intense study and reading on Scott's part. Scott also received special access to British government archives, conducted personal interviews of Napoleon's contemporaries, and completed research in France. Scott's Life of Napoleon Buonaparte proved an immediate commercial success, though some critics disapproved of his fanciful language.

Scott's correspondent James Ballantyne (1772-1833) had been a childhood friend. As part of the firm James Ballantyne & Co., James later became Scott's primary printer and occasional publisher. Scott in turn was an investor in Ballantyne's enterprise and also an editor of some of its other literary publications.

Provenance

Ray V. Denslow (1885-1960), a fourth generation Freemason, and internationally renowned Masonic historian, having written over 20 full volumes and 62 booklets on Masonic subjects. He held extensive positions as a Freemason over his lifetime including Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Missouri and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Missouri. Perhaps his greatest national honor was that of serving as General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, from 1942-46. He was Grand Master of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1949; Grand Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1943; Grand Chancellor of the Grand College of Rites; Great Prior of the Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte, U.S.A. in 1952; and Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars at the time of his death. He held almost 100 honorary memberships in Masonic groups stretching from France to the Philippines.

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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