Lot 248
  • 248

Endo, Shusaku

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Typescripts and correspondence relating to his work with the English publisher Peter Owen, 1976–1981
  • paper, ink
'Volcano': a complete typescript of the English-language translation by Richard A. Schuchert, including Schuchert's introduction, with proof-reading corrections and textual revisions throughout, in blue ink, 192 pages, 1977; two copies of the uncorrected book-proofs, one marked as the translator's copy, the other stamped "Printers Copy," in gray wrappers, both with proof-reading and textual corrections in red and green ink.

'When I Whistle': a complete typescript of the English-language translation by Van C. Gesse, with proof-reading corrections and textual revisions throughout, in blue ink, 311 pages, 1979; a copy of the book-proof, stamped "Printers Copy," in gray wrappers, with proof corrections in red and green ink.

A significant series of 54 typed letters, two autograph letters and one autograph postcard (all in English) signed by Endo ("Shusaku Endo"), to Owen, on his writing, translators, translation rights, publications, royalties, and travel, together with autograph notes in Japanese written on three cardboard coasters; accompanied by other letters relating to Endo including one typed letter signed by Donald Coggan, Archbishop of Canterbury, together approximately 85 pages, various sizes, 18 September 1976 to 6 May 1981.

Condition

Some creases and light staining, some fraying at margins, two of the sets of proofs quite shaken, with wrappers detached.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

Catalogue Note

Shusaku Endo (1923–1996), a Roman Catholic, was the leading member of the "third generation" of post-war Japanese novelists, coming to maturity in the mid-1950s. Endo's work came in for renewed attention with the 2016 release of Martin Scorcese's film 'Silence', based on Endo's 1966 of the same name. Graham Greene termed Endo, his coreligionist, "to my mind one of the finest living novelists."