The original manuscript for "The Field of Waterloo" - photo 1

The original manuscript for "The Field of Waterloo"

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$ 6 300
Auction dateClassic
15.06.2023 10:00UTC -04:00
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CHRISTIE'S
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USA, New York
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ID 967558
Lot 11 | The original manuscript for "The Field of Waterloo"
The original manuscript for "The Field of Waterloo"

Washington Irving, ca. 1825

IRVING, Washington (1783-1859). Autograph manuscript for "The Field of Waterloo," [n.p., ca. 1825].



Eight pages, 119 x 123mm to 166 x 120mm, with numerous manuscript corrections, all neatly laid into larger sheets together with essay as it appeared in print, and an engraved portrait of Irving (occasional toning, final page composed of two sheets glued together). Violet crushed morocco boards (worn at hinge extremities rubbed).



"Death thinned their ranks, but could not shake their souls."



A rare, complete original manuscript in which Irving recounts his visit to the battlefield of Waterloo as a point of reference to discuss the differences between the English and French character. Originally titled "The Battle of Waterloo," Irving edits it here to match final version of the title. He opens admitting that he had "spoken heretofore with some levity of the contrast that exists between the English and French character; but it deserves more serious consideration. They are the two great nations of modern times most diametrically opposed… For ages have they been contending, and for ages have they crowded each other's history with acts of splendid heroism. Take the Battle of Waterloo…. Nothing could surpass the brilliant daring on the one side, and the steadfast enduring on the other. The French cavalry broke like waves on the compact squares of English infantry. […] Their columns were ripped up by cannonry; whole rows were swept down at a shot; the survivors closed their ranks, and stood firm. In this way many columns stood through the pelting of the iron tempest without firing a shot; without any action to stir their blood or excite their spirits. Death thinned their ranks, but could not shake their souls." The essay was published as part of "Sketches in Paris in 1825," in the The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine Vol. 16, No. 5 and No. 6 (November and December 1840), and collected in Wolfert's Roost, 1855 (BAL 10188). A front flyleaf bears a penciled bibliographical note by George S. Helmann (editor of The Letters of Irving to Brevort, 1915, and Journals of Washington Irving, 1919), commenting that the essay is "Irving's most delightful paper referring to Napoleon"). Complete manuscripts of significant length by Irving are rare on the market. Provenance: Philip N. Neufeld (sale, Christie's, New York, 25 April 1995, lot 188).

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