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Watt galley proof

Dublin Core

Title

Watt galley proof

Subject

Beckett, Samuel, 1906-1989. Watt.

Description

Beckett's second completed novel, Watt, was written in English while he was in the French Resistance and in hiding in the South of France during World War II. It remained unpublished until 1953 when Alexander Trocchi brought it out in collaboration with Maurice Girodias. 

Proof contains edit marks in three hands: Beckett's, Trocchi's, and unknown (possibly Richard Seaver's). Numerous mistakes remained when it was published, which frustrated Beckett. He corrected them for the first American edition.

Creator

Beckett, Samuel

Publisher

Olympia Press / Collection Merlin

Date

circa 1953

Contributor

Trocchi, Alexander

[Seaver, Richard]

Relation

PR6003.E282 W3 1953 Spec Copy 1: Off-white paper wrappers; glassine dust jacket. In a specially designed protective case, 22 cm.

Spec Copy 1: First edition, fine paper issue (limited to 25 lettered copies, all signed by the author).

Spec Copy 2: Crimson paper wrappers. Bears the author's autograph signature on title page.

Spec Copies 2-3: First edition, trade issue.

Spec Copy 3: In a specially designed protective case, 20 cm. Leaf for p. 17/18 misbound during restoration work. Bears the author's signed autograph presentation inscription to Aidan Higgins. Also bears the author's ms. additions to text on p. 19.

MSS008 Box 4 Folder 73: Watt Typescript [photocopy], 1 page. 1 item. Includes identifying note by Henry Wenning.

MSS116 Box 37 Folder 28: Materials toward the printing of Watt

1941-1956 exhibit case
To Maurice Girodias, 7 April 1956:

"I acknowledge receipt of your letter of 19th March and of the cheque for 5,000 francs enclosed with it. May I remind you that in a letter dated 29th May 1954 "Merlin" informed me that there would be a payment of 15,000 francs, corresponding to royalties of 20% of the cost of Watt in the de luxe edition. Might you consider passing on the balance?

"As the work is now out of print, could you also tell me when you are planning to reprint it? Jérôme Lindon tells me that you have spoken of doing so no later than this summer. In that case, I think that a direct contract should be drawn up between us."

-The Letters of Samuel Beckett: 1941-1956, p. 613

Format

galley proof
jpeg; 300 ppi

Language

English

Type

Manuscript

Citation

Beckett, Samuel, “Watt galley proof,” WUSTL Digital Gateway Image Collections & Exhibitions, accessed April 30, 2024, http://omeka.wustl.edu/omeka/items/show/14859.