[DOYLE ARTHUR CONAN]: (1859-1930) Scottish author, creator of Sherlock Holmes. Two A.Ls.S., Edith M. Troughton, a ...

[DOYLE ARTHUR CONAN]: (1859-1930) Scottish author, creator of Sherlock Holmes. Two A.Ls.S., Edith M. Troughton, a midwife who was present at the births of Doyle's son Adrian and daughter Jean ('Billy'), each two pages, small 4to, Underhill Road, Dulwich, London, 20th and 27th November 1934, both to Lady Doyle. Troughton recalls various facts concerning the births, and also makes reference to another of Doyle's sons, Denis, writing, in part, 'Adrian was born at about eight o'clock in the morning, and Jean about twelve mid-day. What happy memories it all brings back to me. I am very interested in the answer Denys (sic) is giving in the Sunday paper….when the question was asked if one could avoid the 'after life' his answers are so definite & clear, he must be a wonderfully good, spiritual man. If we could have seen the future we shouldn't have been anxious about the frail little baby he was, little knowing what was latent in that dear wee thing' (20th November 1934), 'I didn't keep a diary of the times of the babies birth, only their weight & whether a boy or a girl, but I remember very distinctly the details. I was in the house a few days before Adrian was born & remember distinctly your husband calling me at six…..and in his kind unselfish way saying ''don't get up, everything is all right'' (of course I do not remember if you had been ill all night). Of course I got up & dressed as quickly as possible & only just had time to get everything to hand & he was born soon after or near eight, it was very quickly over…..When Billy was born I was with Mrs. Anthony…..your husband rang me up before breakfast to ask if I would be ready to come at once, the car was being sent for me. When I arrived at Windlesham you were under chloroform and the baby came very soon after I got there….It was midday when the baby was born, before lunch as far as I remember. Denys (sic) was the only one born in the early evening, we had been waiting for him all day…..exactly the hour I do not know, I wish I did…..' (27th November 1934). Accompanied by an autograph note, unsigned, in the hand of Lady Doyle on an oblong 12mo slip of paper, 'Important re the time of birth of Adrian & Billy (by Nurse Troughton). Denis was born at 6.30 PM'. Some light age wear, and a few minor, neat splits and small tears to the edges, G, 3 Jean Elizabeth Leckie (1874-1940) Lady Doyle, the second wife of Arthur Conan Doyle and mother of three of his five children, Denis Percy Stewart (1909-1955), Adrian Malcolm (1910-1970) and Jean Lena Annette (1912-1997). The latter, who would become an Air Commandant of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, was described as a tomboy by Harry Houdini and had the childhood nickname 'Billy'.