Very good condition. A superb collection of the earliest works of James Blyth (1864-1933), including the original manuscripts for his first two books. Comprising 

[1] Corrected typescript for 'The Impotent Spirit': 278pp, typed, rectos, numerous corrections, fairly rough around the edges in a raggedy paper wrapper, string bound at one point. Seemingly unpublished. 

[2] Original autograph manuscript for 'Celibate Sarah': ~250pp, both sides, autograph in pencil. Binding wrecked, but leaves neat. 2pp typescript prologue laid in. Signed and dated (1901) on the front pastedown. Eventually published in 1904 

[3] Original autograph manuscript for 'Juicy Joe': The author's first book. 380pp, rectos, autograph. Some loss to the final leaf. Most leaves with edge wear, some trivial, some not. In loose marbled wrappers. 

[4] Original Corrected Typescript for 'Juicy Joe': 111pp, rectos, typed. Numerous amendments and deletions in autograph. Autograph note from Blyth on old wrapping paper laid in. General edgewear, but decent enough overall. 

[5] Original Typescript for 'Hellots of Themis, Or Slaves of the Law': An unpublished novel. ~350pp, typed, rectos only. String bound in ragged paper wrappers. Sheets mostly in good shape. Numerous autograph corrections throughout. 

[6] Original Autograph Manuscript for various works: [comprising] 'Harry Catling's Story', 'Maggie McCrae', 'Lydia Denton', 'How She Nearly Won', 'Anne's Reward', 'A Richmond Romance', 'Keep it long', 'The Devil's House', 'The Ringled Bull', 'A Village Scandal' (the latter three works published in 'With a View to Matrimony and other stories'), 'Amongst the Bream', 'A Success of Mr Walter Long', 'The Haunted Orchard', (three chapters an early version of 'Juicy Joe'), 'A Day on a Yarmouth Tug', 'Hiring a Swarm', 'Hoss in the Deek', 'The Harvest Tide', 'Selina', 'A Norfolk Ghost', apart from the story drafts, the manuscript has some biographical material. Some notes for 'The New Atonement' give the true names of the people (his relatives). Two draft letters give the clue as to why he left London Society and professional life to come to Fritton, and by their begging nature (down to his last sixpence) show his reduced circumstances. Another draft shows his journalistic work, and another, his reviewing work, circa 170 manuscript pages contained in a notebook originally used at Norwich Grammar School in 1880 under his previous name of James Catling Clabburn with autograph ink manuscript of Latin Elegiacs, prose and hexameters, then used at Corpus Christi College in 1884 with entries re various Law papers, comprising circa 36 manuscript pages, small quarter, half calf very worn. 

Each item has a small archival sticker from R.C.Fiske, some notes presumably by Fiske also. Fiske appears to have been a local historian of the Norfolk area. [11988, Hyraxia Books].