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This piece contains the famous final stanza of his iconic 1885 poem, "Little Orphant Annie." The document is written in Riley’s distinctive and unmistakable block-lettering style.
Item Details:
• Attribution: This document has been matched to known examples of James Whitcomb Riley’s handwriting. While the piece itself is unsigned, the script and the charming hand-drawn "Gobble-un" doodle at the bottom are definitive markers of Riley’s personal hand.
• Historical Significance: Features the most famous lines from his most enduring work, which inspired the Little Orphan Annie comic strip and musical.
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition.
This is a fantastic opportunity to own a piece of American literary history that carries the unmistakable "hand" of one of our most celebrated poets. Please review the provided photos and compare the handwriting against known samples of Riley's work—the match is unmistakable.
The original name of this poem was "The Elf Child",the original title of James Whitcomb Riley's famous poem, later changed to "Little Orphant Annie", about a young orphan girl who does chores and tells spooky tales of the "Gobble-Uns" to scare children into behaving.The poem, written in a 19th-century Hoosier dialect, is known for its cautionary rhymes and its role as the inspiration for the Little Orphan Annie comic strip.
