Dec 6, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
735
Raymond Chandler’s Daily Reminders Diary for the first days of the last year of his life
Estate / Collection: The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection of Raymond Chandler
CHANDLER, RAYMOND
Raymond Chandler’s Daily Reminders Diary for the first days of the last year of his life. [La Jolla: January-March 1959]. A small red cloth diary/calendar with "Daily Reminders 1959" stamped in gold on the cover. The diary with several phone numbers recorded at front (in Jean's hand?) and about 18 entries in blue ink executed by Chandler between 1 January and 2 March 1959. 7 x 4 1/2 inches (18 x 11 cm). A few spots and very minor soiling, fine overall.
A poignant look into the last days of Raymond Chandler who wrote daily in this diary during the first weeks of January 1959 and intermittently through March 2nd. On New Year's day 1959, Chandler mentions watching bowl games but on January 2nd "Dr. Berris persuaded me to go the hospital. Arrived by ambulance." The next day is described as "needles, needles, needles... I am now more steadfastly drugged than ever before." Home by January 9th, Chandler is regaining his strength and "started to re-read The Night Comers by Ambler, a damn good book, beautifully organized and very touching." He further mentions Helga Greene's hospitalization in London and doubts she will be able to visit. On the 10th, Chandler has "Re-read 'The Pencil' which Jean thinks is terrific." The later notes indicate that "Helga arrived" on February 3rd but things are turning for the worst on February 20th when Chandler notes "went to town with Helga. Cashed in 7 bonds. How I have really burnt my bridges. It had to be." The last entry is on March 2nd and reads simply "4pm George Peterson," who was Chandler's American accountant. Later that month, pneumonia drove him back to the hospital; Raymond Chandler died on March 26th, 1959, at 70 years old.
Sold for $832
Estimated at $400 - $600
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection of Raymond Chandler
CHANDLER, RAYMOND
Raymond Chandler’s Daily Reminders Diary for the first days of the last year of his life. [La Jolla: January-March 1959]. A small red cloth diary/calendar with "Daily Reminders 1959" stamped in gold on the cover. The diary with several phone numbers recorded at front (in Jean's hand?) and about 18 entries in blue ink executed by Chandler between 1 January and 2 March 1959. 7 x 4 1/2 inches (18 x 11 cm). A few spots and very minor soiling, fine overall.
A poignant look into the last days of Raymond Chandler who wrote daily in this diary during the first weeks of January 1959 and intermittently through March 2nd. On New Year's day 1959, Chandler mentions watching bowl games but on January 2nd "Dr. Berris persuaded me to go the hospital. Arrived by ambulance." The next day is described as "needles, needles, needles... I am now more steadfastly drugged than ever before." Home by January 9th, Chandler is regaining his strength and "started to re-read The Night Comers by Ambler, a damn good book, beautifully organized and very touching." He further mentions Helga Greene's hospitalization in London and doubts she will be able to visit. On the 10th, Chandler has "Re-read 'The Pencil' which Jean thinks is terrific." The later notes indicate that "Helga arrived" on February 3rd but things are turning for the worst on February 20th when Chandler notes "went to town with Helga. Cashed in 7 bonds. How I have really burnt my bridges. It had to be." The last entry is on March 2nd and reads simply "4pm George Peterson," who was Chandler's American accountant. Later that month, pneumonia drove him back to the hospital; Raymond Chandler died on March 26th, 1959, at 70 years old.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, Dec 6, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on December 6, 2024
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Books, Autographs & Maps
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle held a successful auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps onDecember 6, 2024 showcased is a wonderful diversity of Americana, maps, autographs, early books and landmarks of literature and science.
Highlighting the sale was the first edition of Spinoza's Tractatus theologico-politicus from 1670 that soared to $70,350. Spinoza’s Tractatus is his only work published during his lifetime and remains his most significant. It presents a clear theory of natural right, asserting that the love of God leads to love for others. The state exists to ensure liberty, not oppression, with justice, wisdom, and toleration as key. Influential to thinkers like Blake and Goethe, it shaped Romanticism.
The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection offered the largest trove of unpublished Raymond Chandler stories, poetry, letters, books and personal artifacts to come to market. Best known for his Philip Marlowe detective novels including The Big Sleep (1939) and Farewell, My Lovely (1940) and as screenwriter of film noir classics such as Double Indemnity (1944) and The Blue Dahlia (1946), Raymond Chandler is considered one of the top writers in the hardboiled fiction genre alongside Dashiell Hammett and James Cain. Held for decades, the archive belonged to Jean Fracasse [later Vounder-Davis] who was first hired in January 1957 as Chandler's personal secretary but quickly became his close friend, confidant, fiancé and muse to whom he dedicated his last book.
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Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
