A rare letter written by Bram Stoker just weeks after the publication of Dracula offers a unique glimpse into his thoughts on the iconic novel, revealing his playful pride and awareness of its gothic extravagance.
In 1897, Bram Stoker published one of the most iconic and enduring horror novels of all time, Dracula. The book’s dark theatricality and gothic extravagance have captivated readers for generations, inspiring countless authors, filmmakers, and video game developers.
Bram Stoker was born on November 8, 1847, in Clontarf, Ireland.
He studied mathematics at Trinity College Dublin before becoming a civil servant.
Stoker worked as the personal assistant to the actor Henry Irving and later became the manager of the Lyceum Theatre in London.
He is best known for writing the iconic novel 'Dracula', published in 1897.
The book has become a classic of Gothic horror, influencing literature and popular culture for generations.
A rare note written by Stoker just weeks after the novel’s publication offers a unique glimpse into his thoughts on the book. Addressed to an unidentified ‘Williams,’ the letter is informal, insightful, and remarkably candid.
The note reads: ‘I send you Dracula & have honoured myself by writing your name in it… Lord forgive me. I am quite shameless.‘ _Yours ever, Bram Stoker.’ This humorous aside reveals Stoker’s playful pride in his book’s dark theatricality and awareness of its gothic extravagance.
Count Dracula is a fictional character and the main protagonist in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel 'Dracula'.
He is a vampire, an undead creature that feeds on human blood.
According to legend, Dracula was born Vlad III, a 15th-century prince from Wallachia, Romania.
He was known for his cruelty and brutality, which led to his reputation as a ruthless leader.
Over time, the legend of Dracula has evolved through literature, film, and popular culture, cementing his place as one of the most iconic villains in history.
Oliver Bayliss, a rare book dealer from London, is selling the letter, which he describes as ‘informal, insightful, and dated just weeks after the book’s publication.’ This letter is significant because it provides an early and candid authorial commentary on Dracula, offering a glimpse into Stoker’s own voice responding to his novel around the moment of its release.
Bayliss notes that letters by Stoker are rare, and ones in which he mentions Dracula by name are virtually unheard of. This letter is exceptional because it was written just weeks after the book’s publication, making it one of the earliest and most candid authorial commentaries on the novel.
The tone of the note is theatrical, cheeky, and utterly authentic, with Stoker humorously acknowledging his own ‘shamelessness’ in pushing the boundaries of the gothic genre. This tone is a far cry from the reserved and professional tone that Stoker typically employed in his letters.
The letter’s rarity and significance have strong appeal to both institutions and private collectors, as well as film and pop culture enthusiasts with an eye on iconic 20th-century monsters. For investors, a letter signed by Stoker directly referencing Dracula is essentially one in a billion, making it a highly coveted item in the world of rare book collecting.
Rare books are highly sought-after volumes that have become scarce over time due to limited print runs, author's signatures, or historical significance.
These rare literary treasures can fetch high prices at auctions and book sales.
The rarity of a book is often determined by its age, condition, and demand.
Factors such as first editions, 'signed copies' , and illustrations can increase a book's value.
Some notable examples of rare books include the Gutenberg Bible (1455) and Shakespeare's First Folio (1623).
The letter’s provenance is equally fascinating, having been acquired from a private collection on the west coast of the US and having been stored since the 1970s. Bayliss plans to bring the letter back to London, where Dracula was first published and where Stoker was managing the Lyceum Theatre at the time.
Overall, this rare letter offers a unique glimpse into Bram Stoker‘s thoughts on his iconic novel, providing an early and candid authorial commentary that sheds new light on the book’s creation and significance.
- theguardian.com | Rare letter offers glimpse into Bram Stoker’s early thoughts on Dracula
