Margaret Mitchell. Gone With the Wind. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1936.. Unbound proof copy, issued befo...

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Feb 11, 2010 for:

Not Sold

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

A Scarce Unbound Proof Copy

Margaret Mitchell. Gone With the Wind. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1936.

Unbound proof copy, issued before publication of the first edition, with "To be published" written in pencil on the title page. Octavo. 1037 pages.

Thirty-three folded, unbound and unstitched sections. The first few leaves (containing the half-title, the title, the copyright, and the dedication pages) have a few short tears and a couple of chips; the final few leaves (containing the final page of text and five blank pages) have a few shallow creases. The sheet containing the half-title/copyright page and pages 25/26 is split along the center fold approximately two-thirds of the way up. There is a small spot that continues from page 885 through page 895. Otherwise, this uncommon lot is in very good to fine condition.

Accompanying the proof is the original lightweight box in which it was mailed. The return address on the box is J. L. Crowell in South Dennis, Massachusetts and is addressed to Mrs. William C. Brownell in New York City. The box is postmarked Zanesville, Ohio, and "Gone with the Wind" is written in ink at the top of the box. The box and a folding chemise containing the proof copy are housed in a custom gilt-stamped blue leather and cloth box

William C. Brownell was an art and literary critic and was also a literary advisor for the publisher Charles Scribner's Sons. His widow, the former Gertrude Hall, was herself a writer and prominent literary figure. The sender is unknown but may be an extended member of the Crowell family, whose Crowell-Collier Publishing Company (which years later would merge with Macmillan) was based in Ohio.

A scarce pre-publication issue of one of the most staggeringly popular novels of our time.