E5101

Literary Arts

O. Henry, William S. Porter - Writer of Short Stories

Cover Announcement 

During my high school days, the assigned short story that I enjoyed the most was O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." My hand painted cachet reflects all of the components that made this literary piece such a touching and endearing story. The famous author was known for bringing a final, unexpected twist to his stories. ln this beloved tale, a young married couple of modest means each find themselves on

Christmas Eve wondering what gift to get the other with virtually no money available.

Della has long, beautiful hair which she treasures, and she decides to cut and sell it to buy Jim a fine chain for his prized possession - an heirloom pocket watch. Jim determines that he will sell the watch that was passed down to him to buy his precious Della a set of fine decorative combs for her beautiful flowing hair. Although Della ends up with the combs for her now-gone hair and Jim has a fine chain for his departed watch, the moral of the story is that they were both admirable spouses because of the personal sacrifices they were gladly willing to make for their shared love.

The watercolored cachet shows Jim with his chainless watch and Della with her long hair. It also shows the ornate combs and the fine watch chain that were the special gifts so carefully chosen. William Sidney Porter wrote almost 300 stories under his penname O. Henry. By the time of his death in 1910, he was the most popular and widely read storyteller in America and was famous around the globe. 

O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" - Collins #E5101 is now ready at $14.00.