About this Item
Archive. Includes Long Galleys, a printed typescript, correspondence, and related material. Modest wear from use, very good or better overall. A significant collection relating to the translation of Brazilian author Graciliano Ramos's first autobiography, *Infancia*, into English, including a heavily edited printed typescript, three long galleys, over 20 pieces of correspondence, and other material. The project seems to have begun in June, 1976, when University of South Carolina professor Ashley Brown wrote to London publisher Peter Owen who had recently published Ramos's *São Bernardo* about the possibility of publishing the first of Ramos's autobiographies in English. (This letter is present in the collection.) Brown had begun the translation with her adopted son, Celso de Oliveira, but ultimately ceded it to him; she appears here as co-proofreader and also author of the book's introduction. She notes in this first letter that she had left the manuscript with her friend, the author Hilary Spurling; it eventually made it to Dan Franklin, editor for Peter Owen, and the book was published as *Childhood* in 1979. Present here are: - Heavily edited "Revised Typescript," which appears to have been made from a photocopy of the typescript. - Three sets of Long Galleys with manuscript edits. - Inaugural 1976 Typed Letter Signed from Brown to Peter Owen, laying out her case for the publication of *Childhood* in English. - 10 Signed Carbon Copies of Letters and one Autograph Letter Signed from Ashley Brown to editor Dan Franklin, concerning the process, funding, purchasing copies, etc. - Nine Carbon Copies of Letters from Franklin to Brown on similar subjects (N. B. Several are stapled to carbons from Brown to Franklin.) In one disheartening letter, Franklin informs Brown that he will be unable to print the book with Portuguese "tildes" because the printer cannot get ahold of the type in time: "believe me both I and the printer and I are infuriated and disgusted… ." - A nine-page printed document titled "Queries for the Translator" and nine pages of printed corresponding corrections. In a May 20, 1978 letter, Brown writes to Franklin, presumably regarding these documents: "Celso de Oleveira and I have now finished with the list of queries that you sent… we argued out every one of them, and in some cases we did some research." - One-page fax or Carbon Copy of a TLS from Jorge Amado offering a blurb for the book: "Graciliano Ramos is is [sic] the greatest among all modern South American novelists. Infancia is one of his masterpieces." Amado writes: "I hope that this hard and beautiful book will please your readers." [with] A 1978 memo from Peter Owen to Dan Franklin that begins "We have a super quote from Jorge Amado for Ramos CHILDHOOD." - Several other pieces of related correspondence, including carbons of two letters for Peter Owen to the Brazilian Embassy regarding possible assistance in funding. - Several pages of layout sketches, and three pages of "Trimmed Specimen Pages" from the galley printers. An expansive and engaging archive, documenting the translation of Ramos's autobiography of his childhood into English.
Seller Inventory # 597440
Contact seller
Report this item
