October 2016 Auction Ends Thursday, October 27th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/27/2016
Bruce Lee signed essay from high school, written entirely in his hand and personally owned by him. Essay appears to be an English dictation exercise, signed ''Bruce Lee'' on the front, written as a student in the late 1950s at St. Francis Xavier College in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Among the earliest known examples of Lee's handwriting and signature, we see a young Lee struggle to learn the English language and methodically correct his mistakes within the essay. At this time, Lee was starting to pursue martial arts, and the famous discipline and hard work for which he is known is clearly evident in his schoolwork as well; with his corrections, the essay appears near perfect in grammar and spelling. One can also see the beginnings of Lee's famous, flowing signature and elegant handwriting here. Lee writes about a stranded pilot in the essay, in part: ''The history of aviation is full of adventures, and their happy outcome has proved how great is man's ability to brave the dangers which confront him. Not long ago an aviator, while flying over a part of Africa, met with engine trouble at a time when visibility was poor, and was compelled to descend in an swamp at the edge of a large lake. His machine turned upside down and became deeply embedded in the mud. The pilot, though injured in the head, managed with great difficulty to extricate himself...He trod on what he thought was firm ground. Suddenly it moved and he found it was a crocodile. Only after five hours exertion did he reach safety; His clothes were torn to shreds, but he was thankful to be alive...'' Shortly after this essay was written, Lee's parents pulled him out of school and sent him to live in the United States with his sister, as they feared he would be killed by a local gang who Lee often fought with on the street. Sheet measures 6.5'' x 8''. Majority of writing appears on front page with a few lines on verso. Composed in blue ink with corrections by Lee. Near fine condition. Originally part of lot 14 of Superior Galleries' Bruce Lee auction on 7 August 1993, there consigned by Lee's wife, Linda Lee Caldwell.
Bruce Lee Personally Owned Signed & Handwritten Essay From High School -- ''...how great is man's ability to brave the dangers which confront him...'' -- Among Earliest Examples of Lee's Writing
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