Lot 309
  • 309

García Márquez, Gabriel

Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Two drafts of an early short story, "Rosas Artificiales"
  • paper, ink
Together, 2 typed manuscripts with additions, deletions, and corrections in ink: the first draft, 6 pp. (11 x 7 5/8 in.; 279 x 193 mm); the second, 7 pp. (12 1/4 x 7 5/8 in.; 311 x 193 mm), n.p., late 1950's; both lightly tanned, but in good condition. Houses in custom-made quarter buckram album, title stamped in blind on upper cover. Clamshell case.

Condition

Condition as described in catalogue entry.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

TWO CORRECTED DRAFTS OFFERING INSIGHT INTO GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ'S WORKING METHODS.

"Rosas Artificiales" was written in the late 1950's, most likely in Caracas, where García Márquez was living and working as a journalist.  It was published in Mexico City in 1962 in Los Funerales de la Mamá Grande, his third short story collection. 

The two present typescript versions vary from one another and from the published story in several ways. For example, the main character's name starts off as "Claudia" in the 6-page version of the story, but is changed to "Mina" for the second draft and the published story. The initial version begins with the brief opening sentence, "Claudia saltó de la cama al segundo toque para misa." In the second version, this is combined with the second sentence and expanded to "Moviéndose a tientas en la penumbra del amanecer, Mina se puso el vestido sin mangas que la noche anteriour había colgado junto a la cama, y revolvió el baul en busca de las mangas postizas." In addition, lines of dialogue present in the first version have been excised from the second version.

The short story unfolds mostly through a conversation between Mina, who has missed early morning mass and who makes and sells artificial roses, and her blind grandmother. Mina has been jilted by a lover and has thrown his letters down the hole in the outhouse.  She tries to hide this from the grandmother, who sees everything despite her blindness.  The story ends in bitterness on both sides.

MANUSCRIPTS BY GABRIEL GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ ARE SELDOM OFFERED FOR SALE AT AUCTION.