"Rip Van Winkle": one of "the absurd creatures of my brain." - photo 1
"Rip Van Winkle": one of "the absurd creatures of my brain." - photo 2

"Rip Van Winkle": one of "the absurd creatures of my brain."

Lot 17
15.06.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 6 300
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 967604
Lot 17 | "Rip Van Winkle": one of "the absurd creatures of my brain."
Estimate value
$ 5 000 – 8 000
"Rip Van Winkle": one of "the absurd creatures of my brain."

Washington Irving, 20 September 1852.

IRVING, Washington (1783-1859). Autograph letter signed ("Washington Irving") to Messrs. Camp & Perkins, Sunnyside, 20 September 1852.



One page, bifolium, 218 x 170mm (some browning, partial fold separations and split at backfold, small loss at lower left corner).



On the "mystery of the Rip Van Winkle stove." A charming and very funny letter in response to the unsolicited gift of a stove honoring one of "the absurd creatures of my brain.": "Your letter of the 14th instant," Irving writes, "dispels the mystery of the Rip Van Winkle stove, which made its appearance some days since to the great wonder and perplexity of my household, and the misgivings of the womankind in my kitchen who feared it might have been spirited hither by some of the goblins of the KaatsKill mountains. Your letter relieves us from all doubt of its being an honest stove made by modest hand, and that may be safely used without fear of goblin trick; and lets me know to whom I am obliged for so very quaint and complimentary a present. I cannot but feel highly flattered that Mrs. Judge Foote should deem the absurd creatures of my brain worthy of being illustrated by her plastic talent and that you gentlemen should give them a chance for perpetuity beyond the perishable medium of ink and paper; by casting them in iron and giving them a fireside currency." A terrific letter on one of Irving's most iconic literary characters. Provenance: Christie's, New York, 4 December 2009, lot 73.

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
15.06.2023
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

More from Creator

The original manuscript for "The Field of Waterloo"
The original manuscript for "The Field of Waterloo"
$5 000
The Crayon Miscellany and The Rocky Mountains
The Crayon Miscellany and The Rocky Mountains
$500
The Sketch Book, in original wrappers
The Sketch Book, in original wrappers
$40 000
A History of New York, the Greenhill-Bradley Martin copy
A History of New York, the Greenhill-Bradley Martin copy
$1 000
Voyages and Discoveries, with autograph letter
Voyages and Discoveries, with autograph letter
$500
Bracebridge Hall, uncut in original boards
Bracebridge Hall, uncut in original boards
$1 000
The Alhambra, uncut in original boards
The Alhambra, uncut in original boards
$500
Life of George Washington
Life of George Washington
$5 500

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.