The Magic Wagon [First and Typescript]

Lansdale's first hardcover book and something of a cult classic, published in the Double D Western series. Present here a photocopied typescript with corrections and queries from the copyeditor in various colors of pencil and Lansdale's handwritten responses in red ink. Accompanying the typescript is an explanation from Lansdale that it was his practice at the time to send a photocopy to the publisher; all of the changes are handwritten on the photocopy. Most interesting are Lansdale's handwritten notes at the bottom of a dozen or so pages responding to notes from the copyeditor about odd word choices, most of which Lansdale explains away as rural Texas language: "Sober is the way Bill Bob would say it. Soberness is snobby sounding." In another place he says he is willing to accept the suggested change "if it bugs you" explaining, "I didn't make up East Texan, just born here." In chapter 2, the copyeditor questioned his reference to The Wizard of Oz; Lansdale wrote back that the book was published nine years before the setting of the novel. However, this may still be an anachronism?Baum's book is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The title lost the word Wonderful in 1939 for the movie. 190 leaves, 8-1/2 by 11 inches, printed rectos (front side) only. v, 4?173 plus 16 added leaves inserted to add text to the preceding page. The typescript is accompanied by about 80% of the typeset page proofs (the pages that had changes were returned to the printer and are lost) and a first edition of the book. The published book is fine in a fine jacket and is inscribed to the late collector Tom Garner, "For Tom, Joe R. Lansdale (his ownself)." The page proofs are very good or better and are signed by Lansdale on the title page. The typescript is also signed on the title page. The three items are housed in a custom black-cloth clamshell box. The typescript is accompanied by two copyediting style sheets, a printed email from Lansdale, a signed description of the typescript, and two cancelled checks endorsed by Lansdale.…