| Author |
Cooper, Susan Fenimore, 1813-1894 |
| Title |
The Lumley Autograph
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 56.4 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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| Credits |
Produced by Hugh C. MacDougall. HTML version by Al Haines.
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| Summary |
"The Lumley Autograph" by Susan Fenimore Cooper is a satirical novella published in the mid-19th century. This work addresses the autograph collecting craze of the time, exploring themes of ambition, poverty, and the sometimes absurd nature of literary fame. The author, who was the daughter of the famous writer James Fenimore Cooper, conveys her commentary on the literary world through a narrative set against the backdrop of London during a bleak November. The story follows the journey of a letter written by a starving poet, which ultimately becomes an object of great desire among collectors. Beginning with the poet in distress, the letter captures his plea for help and hints at the irony that often accompanies the life of artists—great talent does not always equate to success or recognition, instead it can lead to dire situations. As the letter passes through various hands, including that of a nobleman and a trunk-maker, the narrative satirizes the superficiality of those who covet the poet's insignia without understanding the depth of his struggle. Ultimately, the letter’s fateful loss amid a collecting party underscores the transient nature of fame and the eccentric obsessions of collectors, leaving readers to reflect on the value of artistic works beyond mere signatures. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
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| Subject |
Satire
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| Subject |
Autographs -- Collectors and collecting -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
2164 |
| Release Date |
May 1, 2000 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Dec 31, 2020 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
95 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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