Chandler, Raymond

Playback. [Original typescript with holograph edits of the  first and final manuscripts for the novel].  La Jolla: 1957-58.



4to (11 x 8 1/2 in; 280 x 220 mm).  197pp.; 188 pp. Housed in a bond typing paper box; few pages only with light toning, box split at corners.

Raymond Chandler (initialled "RC" on box)

The original first and final draft manuscripts for Chandler's final novel, with numerous corrections and edits by the author

Playback was Chandler's most difficult novel to complete. He had written half of it in 1953 by resurrecting an earlier screenply idea, but ended up setting it aside to complete The Long Goodbye. Cissy's death in 1954 had prevented any real writing, "I don't know how many times I have taken the Marlowe story out and put it away again with a sigh ... my heart was too sad to let me capture the mood of gusto and impudence which is essestial ... " (MacShane, pg 250)

But by 1957, buoyed by relationships with Helga Greene and Jean Vounder-Davis (formerly Fracasse) and her family (to whom this is signed "For Jean / RC") he was ready to try again and the work went relatively quickly, though it was a different Marlowe that emerged when he finished in 1958.

The second manuscript marked "final" contains approximately 80 pages with Chandler's holograph edits in pen or pencil and 5 typed notes or cards noting dictated dialogue changes  (possibly taken by Jean to whom, along with Helga, the published book was dedicated).