RAVEN, Simon (1927-2001). The original autograph manuscript of the first three chapters of the novel "Friends in Low Places", written in blue ink on the rectos only of 174-pages, with a typed covering letter from the author, contained in a cloth box.

RAVEN, Simon (1927-2001).  The original autograph manuscript of the first three chapters [as eventually published] of "Friends in Low Places", the second novel in the "Alms for Oblivion" sequence, written in blue ink on the rectos only of 174-pages of A4 paper, with authorial crossings-outs, amendments and inserts throughout, often substantial, and with p.38 and p.82 consisting of a single typed sentence only, unbound, the whole contained in a cloth book box. The manuscript comprises the first 72-pages, or the first three chapters (subsequently named "A Game of Chance", "A Game of Chess" and "Cupid and Psyche"), of the published novel. With a one-page typed covering letter from the author, dated October 14, 1964, addressed, "236, London Road, Deal," stating: "Dear Dr. Schwartz, The enclosed is the [inserted in manuscript:] MS of the [typed:] first two [sic] chapters of the novel I am now writing --- Friends in Low Places, which is to be Vol. II of my 10 volume novel, 'Alms for Oblivion'. If you are interested, I can send you the rest of the MS as it becomes available --- that is, after I have typed it out. This I usually do at the end of each chapter. Yours sincerely ..." [unsigned]. We have been unable to identify "Dr Schwartz", the recipient of the letter, although it may be part of an elaborate in-joke between Raven and Anthony Blond, his publisher throughout his writing career, who was Jewish: "Schwartz" is a name of Yiddish origin meaning black. Literary manuscripts by Simon Raven are very rare at auction: so rare, in fact, that we have been unable to trace any. Provenance: from the Collection of the late Robert Michael Booth (1945-2024), publisher, writer, collector and broadcaster.