History In Ink®  Historical Autographs


1431594

Joseph Conrad

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Conradʼs last check—and perhaps his final autograph

Joseph Conrad (born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski), 1857–1924.  Polish novelist and short story writer.  Personal check, signed J Conrad, " x 8⅛", July 29, 1924.

This check, written but five days before Conrad died at age 66 on August 3, 1924, is noted to be the last check that Conrad signed.  In the upper left margin, the check has a note in another hand in red ink reading “Drawer Deceased,” showing that the check was paid after Conrad died.  A small card that was formerly clipped to the check with a paper clip bears this typewritten note:  "the last bank check that joseph conrad, wrote as of 1924."  It is No. P31333, written to Philpot & Son for £1, 14 shillings, 6 pence.  The firm has endorsed the check by hand on the back.

Our search of auction records shows two other checks that Conrad wrote in July 1924, No. P31305 dated July 7, and No. P31310 dated July 11.  We have found no checks, letters, or other autograph material dated after this check on July 29.

Conrad was exactly four months shy of his 67th birthday on December 3 when he likely had a heart attack and died at his home, Oswalds, in Bishopsbourne, Kent, near Englandʼs southeast coast.  Born in what is today part of Ukraine, Conrad considered himself Polish, since the land where he was born had belonged to the Kingdom of Poland before Russia got it in 1793.  He settled in England, however, and obtained British citizenship in 1886.  He lived there until his death.

Conrad is considered one of the greatest English-language writers of all time, although English was essentially a third language for him, since he was fluent in his native Polish, learned French as a child, and learned English only after he was in his twenties.  He left a 19-year career in the merchant marine in 1894, and by 1895 he published his first novel, Almayerʼs Folly, under the pen name "Joseph Conrad,” a anglicized form of his first and third Polish given names.  During his 30-year writing career, he wrote 20 novels and numerous short stories and essays. 

The check has not been on the autograph market for nearly 70 years.  It comes from a collection assembled in the 1940s.  The records of the collection show that it was last sold on June 20, 1946, by autograph dealer Conway Barker of Galveston, Texas, for $5.  A copy of the receipt from that sale accompanies this check.

The check has folds and wrinkles, and there is paper loss at the lower right corner.  A paper clip stain at the right end that touches the top of Conradʼs signature in two places and bleeds slightly through to the back.  Another paper clip stain on the back side of the left end similarly bleeds through slightly to the front in the purple printed area.  Normal ink cancellations on the check do not affect Conradʼs signature, but the red oval stamp of the National Provincial Bank Limited of Canterbury crosses the “J."  Overall the piece is in fine condition.

Unframed.  Please ask us about custom framing this piece.

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