H. Rider Haggard - Three Autograph Manuscripts in Translation of Ayesha, Benita and The Ghost Kings - 1906-1909.

Paris, 1906-1909. Manuscripts. Unbound. French translations of three of HRH's novels. All translated around the time of their respective first English publications, and presumably in the translator's hand (or their secretary). The translator is not named. HRH was translated into French in the 1880 and 1920s, but nothing in the 1900s, so the assumption is that it isn't one of those translators (Lemaire, Benoit, Lebouchere). A mystery to be solved. There's nothing to suggest these were authorised translations either. Either way, it appears that they remain unpublished in this form. I can find only a French translation for Ayesha, and that is a somewhat recent publication. It's hard to speculate as to the purpose for which these were intended, though given the span between the translations someone was likely preparing them for publication. (1) Ayesha. 355pp autograph both sides, lacking pp235-254. 28th September 1905, Paris. (2) Benita. 270pp autograph both sides, appears complete. Dated 11th May 1906, Paris (3) Les Rois Fantomes [The Ghost Kings]. 344pp autograph both sides, appears complete. Dated 17th June 1908, Paris. (4) 14pp autograph mss, seems to be the same hand but may be unrelated to HRH - I can't find any title of Haggard's that meets the translation (though I admit I may be misrepresenting the French on this one). Tantalisingly, there's a name with the 1907 date at the end of 'Ed Schroder' or similar. Condition is fine, some toning and a little foxing but remarkably well preserved overall. [9243, Hyraxia Books].