.jpg?w=1)
Details
HILTON, James.
Typed manuscript signed ("James Hilton") in block letters, n.p., n.d., being the manuscript for Hilton's first novel, Lost Horizon, here titled "Blue Moon." 253 pages, 4to, with annotations and corrections in Hilton's and another's hand, paper toned and fragile. With typed manuscript, n.p., n.d., being the script for "Shangri-La" a stage version of Lost Horizon. 115 pages, 4to, with pencilled annotations and corrections in Hilton's hand, bound in black folder.
ANNOTATED ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT OF HILTON'S MOST CELEBRATED NOVEL
James Hilton purportedly wrote Lost Horizon, originally titled "Blue Moon," in six weeks. Published in 1933, the novel captured the public's imagination with its portrayal of a utopian community nestled among the Himalayas -- the magical city of Shangri-La. Borrowing heavily from Kipling by using a frame narrative in which British gentlemen travelling in India relay the story of their friend's extraordinary adventure, Hilton crafts a compelling tale of a man who finds his earthly paradise only to be forced to leave it behind. The work was a critical and commercial smash and won Hilton the coveted Hawthornden prize for literature. The novel was made into a film in 1937 starring Ronald Coleman and directed by Frank Capra. Though it bears little resemblance to Capra's other works, it is nonetheless counted as one of his best.
This manuscript represents what must be the final draft of the book as there are few substantive changes between the text and the printed version. Although Hilton had donated some of his manuscripts to the Library of Congress, he kept this, his most important work. It was discovered among his personal papers along with other manuscripts offered here. Included too is the undated typescript of "Shangri-La, A New Musical Play," co-authored by Hilton, Jerome Lawrence, and Robert Lee. It was perhaps intended for a New York debut, given the address of Hilton's American agents at the bottom of page 1. Though largely faithful to the book, "Shangri-La" features an additional female character and several musical numbers. The label on the folder's front cover is inscribed "earlier version" in Hilton's hand. Present also are several file folders of clippings and reviews of the novel, British radio, and film versions of Lost Horizon, all laid down to larger sheets, many with inscriptions in Hilton's hand.
Hilton, James
Typed manuscript signed ("James Hilton") in block letters, n.p., n.d., being the manuscript for Hilton's first novel, Lost Horizon, here titled "Blue Moon." 253 pages, 4to, with annotations and corrections in Hilton's and another's hand, paper toned and fragile. With typed manuscript, n.p., n.d., being the script for "Shangri-La" a stage version of Lost Horizon. 115 pages, 4to, with pencilled annotations and corrections in Hilton's hand, bound in black folder.
ANNOTATED ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT OF HILTON'S MOST CELEBRATED NOVEL
James Hilton purportedly wrote Lost Horizon, originally titled "Blue Moon," in six weeks. Published in 1933, the novel captured the public's imagination with its portrayal of a utopian community nestled among the Himalayas -- the magical city of Shangri-La. Borrowing heavily from Kipling by using a frame narrative in which British gentlemen travelling in India relay the story of their friend's extraordinary adventure, Hilton crafts a compelling tale of a man who finds his earthly paradise only to be forced to leave it behind. The work was a critical and commercial smash and won Hilton the coveted Hawthornden prize for literature. The novel was made into a film in 1937 starring Ronald Coleman and directed by Frank Capra. Though it bears little resemblance to Capra's other works, it is nonetheless counted as one of his best.
This manuscript represents what must be the final draft of the book as there are few substantive changes between the text and the printed version. Although Hilton had donated some of his manuscripts to the Library of Congress, he kept this, his most important work. It was discovered among his personal papers along with other manuscripts offered here. Included too is the undated typescript of "Shangri-La, A New Musical Play," co-authored by Hilton, Jerome Lawrence, and Robert Lee. It was perhaps intended for a New York debut, given the address of Hilton's American agents at the bottom of page 1. Though largely faithful to the book, "Shangri-La" features an additional female character and several musical numbers. The label on the folder's front cover is inscribed "earlier version" in Hilton's hand. Present also are several file folders of clippings and reviews of the novel, British radio, and film versions of Lost Horizon, all laid down to larger sheets, many with inscriptions in Hilton's hand.
Hilton, James
Sale room notice
The estimate on this lot should be $40,000-60,000.