There were mixed feelings when the news broke just before Christmas that a small manuscript by the 19th century novelist Charlotte Bronte sold for just over $1.1 million.
A French museum won the battle for the prize, to the despair of the Bronte Museum in England.
The sale was reported as “an auction record for a manuscript by the Bronte sisters” selling at twice the estimated sale price according to Sotherby’s.
For those who missed this in the news, the book was a hand written booklet no more in size than 1.5 X 2.5 inches with 4000 words over 19 pages. It is believed that Bronte (more famously known for her 19th century classic “Jane Eyre” ) wrote the booklet when she was 14.
But for me, the reporting of this demonstrated one thing. People love the written word, and are prepared to pay large sums for the paper version.
Remember that when all those around you try to tell you that the computer has taken over and the printed word is dead. This little treasure proves that they don’t know the half of it!
No comments:
Post a Comment