Greene, Graham.

blue ink with autograph revisions and corrections in blue and black ink, 9 pages, folio, together with the Preface, 2 pages, 8vo, June 1979, text on rectos only, mounted at edges in an album, in a green morocco backed folding box; together with The Tablet (23/30 December 1978 and 20/27 December 1980) and How Father Quixote Became a Monsignor. Los Angeles: Sylvester & Orpheus, 1980, number 168 of 330 copies signed by the author, in which the work was first published

Sold for the benefit of The Tablet in these rooms, 24 July 1979, lot 227; Christie's, London, 20 July 1983, lot 365

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"...This is the first chapter of a novel which I am fairly certain will never be completed, but can I be quite sure? Sometimes I think that this is not a bad beginning and I am encouraged to continue..."

Greene's change of mind is evident on the first page of the manuscript, where "Chapter One" is crossed through, but he did come back to the work. The completed novel was published in 1982 with this manuscript forming the basis of the first chapter. The preface was not included in the published novel.