Van Zile, Edward Sims

[Manuscripts] Collection of Edward Sims Van Zile Manuscripts--Mostly Unpublished.

[Manuscripts] Collection of Edward Sims Van Zile Manuscripts--Mostly Unpublished.

8 sets of typed manuscript material including 5 'complete' projects with 3 sets of partial manuscripts. Mostly very good condition; several wrinkled and worn pages. One set in brad binder, else loose. Rusty paperclips prevalent. Very Good Condition.


Edward Sims Van Zile (1863-1931) was an American writer living in New York who published fiction, non-fiction, biographies, a commentary on war, and a history of the early days of movies. Who's Who in New York lists 17 published books and plays. In 1885 he began what might have been one of the earliest "gossip columns" writing for Joseph Pulitzer's New York World as the editor of a column called "Personal and Pertinent".

In 1888 Van Zile filed for a patent to "watch" baseball games remotely utilizing telegraph messages which would be posted on his "Bulletin Board and Base Ball Indicator". The indicator was a simple diagram of the baseball field with posted names of the player in their batting order complete with colored numbered indicator pegs representing players which allowed an audience to 'see' the action in real time.

Manuscripts in this collection are all typed and include:

"Iconoclasm Versus Idealism A Dialogue" 6pp.

"Bascom's Ancestors--A Verdict in Prologue and Three Acts" with red underlining. Written in pencil on title page "The Players Club/10 Grammercy Park New York/or 439 East Blas St. Tel Plaza 0643." 95pp.

"Debutante Detectives/A Murder Mystery". 20 chapters plus an additional 5 chapters (34pp.) from the same novel.

"In Memoriam--Harry Lee Van Zile, C.E." 4pp. Likely written for Edward's brother. Harry predeceased Edward by five months in 1931. Includes information about Harry's service in World War One.

"Outward Bound--Then and Now", 5pp. Essay about World War One including information on Charles Lindberg.

Five additional leaves from two unidentified works.

The University of Missouri--Columbia holds 9 Van Zile manuscripts.

An intriguing collection of unpublished works from a prolific author and playwright. Who knows--"Debutante Detectives" could become the next great American novel! Item #350

Price: $950.00