Clemence Dane - The Moon is Feminine: Original Typescript - Heinemann, 1938.

London, Heinemann, 1938. Manuscript. Hardback. Near fine. A draft typescript of the novel with the original drafts of the first and final chapters laid in. Bound in full vellum and inscribed by Dane to the front endpaper. Pockets have been made out of the endpapers to hold the (additional) original first and final chapters. The orignal first chapter includes a note from Dane to Hugh Walpole, noting how she destroys her manuscripts (suggesting this to be the earliest extant draft). The chapter is typed with numerous corrections and amendments. Following this is the full draft. On the title page it is noted that the story was originally titled Lomea. Then there are three sides of autograph notes, signed. Following this are 302 typed single-sided sheets with numerous corrections. Bound in after this are 1st and 2nd variants of the final chapter. And finally, the original final chapter, noted as discarded - with some notes. A fantastic item and one of only two speculative novels by Dane (Dane is perhaps best known for winning an Academy award for Best Story in 1945 (for Perfect Strangers). The present title involves a race of underground sea people taking on folkloric elements. A little handling wear, and a few rust spots where paperclips have been. [9629, Hyraxia Books].