1887 Lafcadio Hearn ALS Unpublished New Orleans Letter Signed Some Chinese Ghost For Sale

Offered is an exceptional original Autograph Letter Signed (A.L.S.) by Lafcadio Hearn, written in New Orleans in May 1887, consisting of three handwritten pages measuring approximately 8.5\" x 7.25\" each.

This remarkable letter dates from one of the most significant periods of Hearn\'s literary career. Written the same year his landmark collection Some Chinese Ghosts was published, the correspondence captures Hearn during his celebrated New Orleans years, before his later move to Japan, where he would become one of the world\'s most influential interpreters of Japanese culture and folklore.

The letter is written to an unidentified recipient whom Hearn affectionately addresses only as \"Pagan.\" Despite extensive research, the recipient has not been conclusively identified, adding an intriguing layer of mystery to this already significant literary manuscript.

✅ Original handwritten Autograph Letter Signed (A.L.S.)

✅ Written in New Orleans – May 1887

✅ Three handwritten pages

✅ Approximate page size: 8.5\" x 7.25\"

✅ Signed \"Paddy Hearn\"

✅ Exceptional literary content filled with personal reflections

This letter was written during one of the defining moments of Lafcadio Hearn\'s career. In 1887, Hearn had recently published Some Chinese Ghosts, the work that established his reputation as a serious literary figure. Within only a few years he would leave New Orleans for Martinique and ultimately Japan, where his writings on Japanese folklore, religion, and culture would earn him international recognition and lasting literary importance.

Unlike many surviving Hearn letters that have appeared in published collections, extensive research indicates this correspondence appears to be previously unpublished.

Research conducted includes comparison against the standard published editions of The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, where:

• No recipient identified as \"Pagan\" has been located.
• No reference to the nickname \"Pagan\" has been found.
• Distinctive passages from this letter, including the beautifully written phrase:

\"Our friendship is like an Alpine land...\"

do not appear in the published correspondence.

While it is always impossible to prove a manuscript has never appeared anywhere, the available evidence strongly suggests this is an unpublished piece of Hearn correspondence, making it especially appealing to collectors, institutions, and scholars.

The letter offers an unusually intimate glimpse into Hearn\'s thoughts and emotions. Among the subjects discussed are:

• Life in New Orleans
• Louisiana\'s French influence
• Plantation country
• Mexican Gulf archaeology
• Travel and wanderlust
• Friendship
• Loneliness
• Books and libraries
• Personal reflections on life and philosophy

One especially memorable passage reads:

\"Our friendship is like an Alpine land...\"

Another reveals Hearn\'s deeply personal mood:

\"I am incredibly lonesome...\"

These introspective passages exemplify the lyrical style that would later make Hearn one of the nineteenth century\'s most admired literary voices.

The letter remains in very good antique condition with expected age toning, light handling wear, and normal fold lines from having originally been mailed or stored folded. Please review all photographs carefully, as they serve as the best representation of condition.

Original Lafcadio Hearn manuscripts seldom reach the market, particularly examples from his important New Orleans period. An apparently unpublished autograph letter of this quality represents a wonderful opportunity for collectors of literary manuscripts, nineteenth-century Americana, New Orleans history, Japanese studies, and autograph material from major authors.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are considered part of the description.

I package every item with great care and have been shipping collectibles safely to collectors for over 25 years. Your purchase will be professionally packed, fully protected, and shipped promptly with tracking.

Combined shipping is always available whenever possible.