A Collection of Manuscripts, Proofs and First Editions

Maurice Collis

Published by Various, No Place, 1940

No Place, Various, 1940-1970. Manuscript. Hardback. A lovely collection of Maurice Collis manuscripts, proofs and first editions. Collis (1889-1973) was a British imperial administrator stationed in Myanmar. He wrote eight works of fiction, all represented here in some form, and a greater number of non-fiction (not represented here). Comprising: {1} Autograph manuscript for 'Sanda Mala'. Previously titled 'God the Mother'. 390pp, both sides. Lined paper. In a paper wrapper. {2} Autograph manuscript for 'The Mystery of Dead Lovers'. 261pp, both sides. Lined paper. With an additional 40 of so pages covering corrections it seems. With a suite of 12 original illustrations by Cawthra Mulock. In a paper wrapper. {3} Autograph manuscript for 'She Was a Queen'. 358pp, both sides. Lined paper. In a paper wrapper with a rusty fat bulldog clip! {4} Autograph manuscript for 'The Three Gods'. Originally titled: 'The Man of a God', with a note from Collis dated 1960, titling it 'The Book of Kings'. 396pp, both sides. Lined paper. With an additional 40 or so sheets, mixed typed and autograph, with corrections for a postscript and presumably corrections. With a hand-drawn map of the Holyland in a rought card wrapper - condition is mostly near fine. {5} Typescript for 'The Three Gods', then titled 'The Book of Kings'. c280 leaves, rectos. Numerous corrections and a few autograph leaves. Noted 'II' on the wrapper, so likely the second typescript, following on from the above. Ragged paper wrapper. {6} Typescript for 'The Three Gods', then titled 'The Five Kings'. 329 sheets, with corrections. Letter with map laid in from Colin Smythe, two flyers from the same. Presumably after the above. In a paper wrapper string-bound. {7} Two galley proofs [1] 103pp, printed galley with ms corrections throughout [2] 139pp, printed long galley with ms corrections throughout with [1] preceding [2]. With envelopes addressed to Collis. {8} Two proof copies of the collected edition of 'She Was a Queen' [Faber, 1952]. Two sets of unbound gatherings the first with the author's corrections, the second corrected by 'IC'. In loose boards. {9} Inscribed first edition of 'The Three Gods' [Colin Smythe, 1970]. {10} First edition of 'The Mystery of Dead Lovers' [Faber, 1951]. {11} First edition of 'She Was a Queen' [Faber, 1952]. {12} First edition of 'Sanda Mala' [Faber, 1951] without jacket. {13} First edition of 'The Dark Door' [Faber, 1940] without jacket, toned spine. {14} First edition of 'The Descent of the God' [Faber, 1944] without jacket, toned spine. {15} First edition of 'Foreign Mud' [Faber, 1946] without jacket, toned spine. Signed by the author, without inscription. The condition throughout is mostly very good, with some insignifiant wear. EXTRA: Just added: {16} 'Four Roads to Paradise' Typescript, 210pp, rectos, typed. Early draft of Quest for Sita. {17} Autograph Manuscript of 'Quest for Sita' 264pp, autograph, rectos. {18} Autograph manuscript for 'The Dark Door' 301pp both sides, autograph. [11943, Hyraxia Books]. 1940-1970. Seller Inventory # 11943

Bibliographic Details

Title: A Collection of Manuscripts, Proofs and ...
Publisher: Various, No Place
Publication Date: 1940
Binding: Hardback
Condition: Very Good
Edition: Manuscript