[Manuscript] The Wrong Overcoat

Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1885. Limp cloth. Leather edged. . Very Good. Oblong, 13.5 by 19 cm. 63 pp. With original pen and ink vignette illustrations throughout -- 27 in all, plus the drawing on the front cover. These are mostly of objects -- a cigar case, a notebook, a dozen oysters, wheat, a wine glass and bottle, implements for a Turkish bath, a revolver, but there are also a few human figures drawn. Part of the fun and singularity of this manuscript derives from the lengths its creator went to to make it appear as if it were in fact printed, and it is a credit to its creator(s) that they are remarkably successful in pulling off the stunt. Thus is provided the name of a publisher, "Barlow Bros.", and the only thing giving a lie to that, other than the book not having been printed, is location of Grand Rapids, known for furniture but publishing, not so much. The verso of the title page has a copyright notice, as would a printed book as well. The story is about a bored man who accidentally is given another man's overcoat at a theater. In the coat pocketbook is the stranger's notebook with his plans for the following day. So our protoganist decides to step into that man's life the upcoming day. Tucked in the front page of the book is a letter dated Dec. 3, 1926 to Mrs. Farrier a relative of Abbie McC Brown the original owner of the book, explaining that the book was being gifted as it was a special treasure of the previous owner and had been translated transcribed and illustrated by Mrs. Fitch. Cloth cover with watercolor floral illustration captioned "German Translation by Louie M. Fitch marbled endpapers w exlibris Abbie McC Brown. A well executed manscript book translated from German to English Embellished with illustrations created by Mrs. Fitch. The illustrations are appropriatedly place relevant articles and include a notebook and cigar case, wheat, a dozen oysters, wine glass and bottle, the Widow's hand, a forcible argument, implements for Turkish bath, 'Like a bomb" revolver, beet, nightcap, waiting for the Parson and many others. Adolf von Winterfeld (1824-1889) was a prolific German author who specialized in light-hearted stories about a soldier's life. We do not know what story of his this "translation" is based upon, as we do not have easy access to much of his output. (As an author, he is well-represented in American university libraries, but none have but a small smattering of his oeuvre.) Thus we are unable at this time in comparing the translation with the original. Condition: leather edges of binding rubbed and worn. Chip at lower spine extremity. FFEP reattached. Leaves within age toned.