Biographer's Notebook--Original Manuscript
Biographer's Notebook--Original Manuscript, circa 1950, n.p., 273 pp. 8.75 x 11.5 inches.
Three-quarter vellum over golden-yellow cloth binding. Binding mildly soiled and worn. edges lightly fraying. Title stamped in black on spine. Yellow cloth is bubbled. Binding signed inside front board, "F. Vaughn Binder". Three post binding holding strong. Manuscript typed on onion paper which is toned and fragile on edges. Wrinkling and waviness throughout, not affecting text. Hundreds of corrections and annotations by Bolitho in pencil or blue or red pen. Good Condition.
Laid in is a two-page typed letter signed, "My Dear Bob", plus additional letter and annotated photo bound in plastic sleeve also addressed to Bob. The book is dedicated to Robert J. Shaw--likely the same person. Much information about a proposed book included in the laid in letter. The letter bound in gives the history of the binder, Frank Vaughn who was the official bookbinder to King George V.
Hector Bolitho was a prolific author from New Zealand who wrote both novels and biographies, with over 55 books to his name. "Biographer's Notebook", was published in 1950. This from the publisher's blurb: "Author relates true stories of his interactions and adventures with his biographical subjects, many of royalty". Indeed, the book opens with tea with Prince Gyka, to meet King Carol of Romania, to propose Bolitho write a biography of Carol. Caroll II was the King of Romania from 8 June 1930 until his forced abdication on 6 September 1940. Other royalty featured in the biography include King Abdullah, King Hussein, and the Prince of Wales.
A wonderful look at the craft of writing and editing before word processors and computers. . Item #862
Price: $250.00