Truman Capote

The Mademoiselle magazine file copy of the typescript of Truman Capote’s acclaimed story, “House of Flowers,” with a note from Capote’s agent.

• Truman Capote (American).
• New York: Mademoiselle, April 1951.
• Quarto.
• 17 pages.
• Carbon typescript with manuscript and typed corrections, dated August 3, 1950, and marked 'Inventory.'

The Mademoiselle magazine file copy of the typescript, with editorial corrections, of Truman Capote’s acclaimed story, “House of Flowers.”

With a short typed note from Capote’s agent Marian Ives to Rita, the long-time editor Margarita G. Smith, dated 7/24/50, which reads, in part: “Although I don’t think this is for MLLE, nor did T think so, yet it is honestly the best story he’s done recently and I wanted you to take a look at it anyway …”, and with a pencil reader’s report, “whether this particular story isn’t a bit too strong for those in less sophisticated areas (and in Catholic schools‚ … believe it or not, there are still a lot of college girls who are utterly naive”, and three Mademoiselle reader’s report forms recording considerable editorial back and forth, responses from Catholic readers, and Smith’s decision, “I think we should buy it. M.G.S.”, with a note of a payment of $750.

“House of Flowers” was published in the issue for April 1951, and was winner of the third prize in that year’s O. Henry Awards. The story was adapted into a musical in collaboration with composer and lyricist Harold Arlen, and ran for 165 performances on Broadway in 1954. “House of Flowers” was later collected in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

The sale of this item includes only the physical object itself. No copyright, reproduction rights, or intellectual property rights are transferred with the purchase. All such rights remain with the original copyright holder, the Truman Capote Literary Trust.