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Rare archive of eight unsigned handwritten manuscripts by Arthur Conan Doyle containing notes on seances and Spiritualism, totaling eleven pages on nine sheets, most undated but circa 1920s. Eleven pages on nine sheets, autograph manuscript ranging in size from 3.5 inches by 5 inches to 8.25 inches x 10.5 inches.ÂFor manyÂofÂhis later years,ÂDoyleÂintensely pursued his interest in paranormal phenomena, and by the endÂofÂWorld War I he identified himself as a Spiritualist, believing in a spirit world and the ability to communicate with those beyond the grave. He established the specialized Psychic Bookshop in 1925, devoted entirely to the saleÂofÂspiritualistic and psychic books; he later formed a small museum in the basement, showcasing various objects relevant to ghosts and the spirit world. In the following notes andÂmanuscripts,ÂDoyleÂdocuments his firsthand experiences with spirits and seances, recording specific instancesÂof 'spirit rapping,' clairvoyance, and 'spirit voices' heard on the telephone. The collection includes: A handwrittenÂpage headed "Seance with Mrs. Falconer, Feb. 2/22," in part: "Clairvoyant who spoke sometimes thro' her control - sometimes possessed. Lady came with flowers & love. Wallace (apparently) with congratulations. Prof. Simpson said I should uphold client. Judge Dewar said he was with his boy. Knew more than he did. .Bonnie. Scotch girl who sang. Said I had a great Spirit escort with me." In his 1926 bookÂofÂessays, The HistoryÂofÂSpiritualism,ÂDoyleÂnotes that 'Mrs. Falconer,ÂofÂEdinburgh, is. a trance mediumÂofÂconsiderable power.' The sheet is affixed to a larger scrapbook page, with a letter toÂDoyleÂby Spiritualist lecturer Horace Leaf affixed on the reverse. A handwrittenÂpage headed "Seance with Mr. Love & Ness' Circle in Glasgow. Feb. 8/22," in part: "Lights the electric flasher. Voices on the telephone. Russell Wallace who belled me & said he would always be with us. K.C.P. who said he loved to come. Said he was always with me on the platform. That he adored Denis & would guard him. That he was happy. That he hoped I would see him soon. Scotch soldier. had 4 daysÂofÂmisery. 'I am not an angel but am on my way to it.' Caruso sang twice. Stead said a few words. Poor Russian came said 'Poor mother! Poor mother! Starving in Moscow.' Oscovitch or some such name." A lengthy handwrittenÂmanuscript dated June 26, 1924, in part: "I had a sitting. at the Psychic College. I had made the appointment anonymously. She announced to me afterwards that she did not recognise me. The light was subdued. In any case she had no meansÂofÂknowing my prophetic information. This is merely an extract. Her pride, White Hawk, speaking. A young Brave is here. Leslie. (Leslie was my brother in law killed in the war. What follows is so characteristicÂofÂmy son that I think it is possible they were both present). He was connected with Mary on the earth plane. (Mary is my surviving elder daughter). He tell me that Mary very clever make harmony - music, you call it. (This is true. She composes brilliantly). Leslie says, 'Give out the message fearlessly. Tell themÂofÂthe coming world changes. Prepare the way. They will listen to you. We are only at the beginning.' (When will it come?). You have a book - not what George wrote but what the old time people - yes, the Bible. You are told in the RevelationsÂofÂthe wrath to come. The first trial is past. The second is beginning and he tells me you will be interested. The next is pestilence, famine. Before long there will come a mysterious disease among the children. That is the beginningÂofÂthe pestilence. The powerÂofÂcure is given to those people who have the knowledge and the cure will be the laying onÂofÂhands. Tell the people that over the heavens there are signs now showing you those who have eyes to see. You will read Revelations with greater understanding." HandwrittenÂnotes on a sheetÂofÂWindlesham letterhead, in part: "The first night at Hydesville. Dr. Campbell's n. Seller Inventory # 146985
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