1976-1978.
Price: $5,000.00
Unbound. A small file of letters and manuscripts from John Cheever that deal directly with the process of his writing. The collection includes a Signed Typescript of the short story, "The Wrysons"; an Inscribed page of manuscript from the novel, *Falconer* (with a copy of the book); a handwritten page from his diary; and four Typed Letters Signed. The inventory as follows:
1. Typed Letter Signed, 1p., April 7, 1977, with the mailing envelope. A letter to a collector explaining he has never sold any manuscripts (except for two that he could remember donating to charity), that he makes few corrections to them, and that all are typed due to the difficulty in reading his handwriting. As an example, he is including a page from his diary and a page from *Falconer*. Fine, but for some small evidence on the rear that it had once been mounted.
2. A holograph page from Cheever's diary, written on the verso of letterhead from Dinah's Motor Hotel and Apartments. The page describes a flight from Massachusetts and the passengers he encountered, including a comment from a man returning from his father's funeral. A few water spots affecting words along the left side of the margin, a small spot on the lower left margin, and some small evidence on the rear that it had once been mounted, about near fine.
3. A single Manuscript page from *Falconer*. Typed sheet, recto only. A couple of scattered typing mistakes and corrections. Inscribed on the top margin: "This first draft of a page from 'Falconer' is for Roger O'Connor. John Cheever." Slightly tanned with some dampstaining, though the paper remains supple.
4. [Manuscript]: "The Wrysons." 10pp. Typed sheets, rectos only. Signed on the last page. A story about a peculiar suburban couple keeping secrets from one another. Originally published in *The New Yorker* in 1958, and later reprinted in *The Stories of John Cheever*. Fine.
5. Typed Letter Signed, February, 20th [1976]. 1p. Written on Cheever's letterhead and with the mailing envelope present. Cheever states that he does not keep a bibliography of his work, and that he would be happy to autograph any books sent to him. Fine.
6. Typed Letter Signed, May 26, 1978. 1p. Written on Cheever's letterhead and with the mailing envelope present. Cheever comments on a recent book, and adds that he would sign any books sent, but not TV transcripts, as they "have been forgotten." Fine.
7. Typed Letter Initialed, November 16, 1978. 1p. Written on Cheever's letterhead and Initialed "J.C." A brief letter stating he does not have any pictures of himself to send. About fine with a few tiny scattered spots on the edges.
8. *The Falconer*. First edition. Fine in near fine rubbed dust jacket.
Item #325934
Status: On Hold