Alliance Communications thinks it has found a gold mine in The Inheritance, a Louisa May Alcott manuscript it acquired with Cosgrove/Muerer Productions last week.

The manuscript, written when Little Women author Alcott was 17, is believed to be her first novel. When it was found eight years ago in Harvard University's Houghton Library, the handwritten manuscript's assessed value was over $1 million.

The property was made available at an open bidding auction on May 7 by Boston-based literary agent Zachary Shuster. Alliance and Cosgrove/Muerer say they were awarded the option based on their financial package (amount undisclosed), presentation analysis of the marketplace and approach to the project.

"This is a hot property and we are thrilled to have acquired it," says Rose Mangone, Alliance's senior director, publicity and promotion, production.

Mangone says it has yet to be decided whether the project will be a tv movie or a miniseries. Alliance is currently looking for a Canadian scriptwriter and Mangone says the project could qualify for Cancon.

The Inheritance tells the story of an impoverished 19-year-old orphan who is embraced by a wealthy, loving family. A jealous cousin tries to sabotage the orphan's good fortune by accusing her of a crime she did not commit. LL