Ramsey Campbell - For the Rest of Their Lives, Autograph Manuscript

Liverpool, n.d. [c1983]. Manuscript. Unbound. The original, autograph manuscript of Ramsey Campbell's Obsession (provisionally titled For the Rest of Their Lives). 11 notebooks entirely in the author?s hand. Campbell?s process is to write by hand and then type the manuscript up. The notebooks comprise of the novel (in five spiral-bound notebooks) and notes thereof (six smaller notebooks), they are hand-paginated and complete. Very closely written, in Campbell?s somewhat difficult hand (I?m a fine one to talk). Obsession is the story of a group of children, each wanting for something and finding their wishes fulfilled with horrible consequences. Campbell?s first note on the story reads ?Several children ? each with a pressure in the family? decide or are persuaded to try magic or visit someone who can help?. Campbell deposited his manuscripts, typescripts and correspondence with the Science Fiction Foundation Collection at the University of Liverpool. The present manuscript, along with the other that we are offering (stock code 7160) are the only copies we know of currently in private hands. No copies recorded at auction. Liverpool hold typescripts and galleys of the present title. An important piece and a rare opportunity to own a manuscript by the author referred to in the Oxford Companion to English Literature as ?Britain?s most respected living horror writer?. Physical description: 11 notebooks. Five A4 spiral-bound notebooks comprising the main body of the novel. One A5 school exercise book containing notes, chapter outlines, cross-references and five memo books containing preliminary and progression notes. (1) Spiral Bound Notebook. Dimensions: 251mm x 200mm x 6mm, titled 'For the rest of their lives', and inscribed by Campbell thus 'For Stuart Schiff - / the only copy that / isn?t called Obsession! / All the best from / Ramsey Campbell?. Remaining 49 leaves filled recto only, in the author?s hand. The verso is reserved for note-taking. (2) titled ?For the rest of their lives 2?, recto and verso as above. (3) as two, but titled ?3?, (4) as two, but titled ?4?. (5) as two, but titled ?5? and comprising just 25 pages. All five written in blue ink, with notes in blue and black. Roughly 48 lines per page. (6) Exercise book. Dimensions: 202mm x 64mm x 4mm. 50 leaves, 34 populated in the author?s hand, mostly to rectos, with some notes to the versos. Numerous page cross-references, some crossed out, others not. (7) Memo Book. Dimensions: 65mm x 10mm x 3mm. 48 leaves, filled verso and recto in the author?s hand. These are mostly early notes and notes made during writing, many with page references. (8) As seven. (9) As seven. (10) As seven. (11) As seven, but only 25 leaves filled. The notes get progressively more detailed, showing preliminary ideas and a good outline of the story. Approximately 500 pages in total. Numerous amendments and strike-throughs throughout. [7159, Hyraxia Books].