232

Albert Schweitzer

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:20,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Albert Schweitzer

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2014 Dec 10 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Extraordinary archive of material for the book entitled The Africa of Albert Schweitzer, published in 1948 by Charles R. Joy and Melvin Arnold, including: a typed draft manuscript heavily edited and hand-corrected by Schweitzer; a lengthy ALS by Schweitzer; and well over 1,000 photographs.

The typed draft is 220 unbound carbon pages, 8.5 x 11, significantly hand-edited throughout by Schweitzer, who in some cases wrote out entire pages and affixed them to the draft with tape; ultimately there are over 9,500 words in Schweitzer’s hand. Although the draft is in English, Schweitzer made the majority of his corrections in French.

The ALS is in French, signed at the top of each page, “Dr. A. Schweitzer,” five pages, 8.75 x 11.5, April 11, 1948. In part (translated): “By the courier who is leaving tomorrow morning I am sending you three revised chapters. The work has interested me greatly. In general I find your text very good, especially where you tell what you have seen and your impressions. There I have made only a few changes. But in the references you have given, my changes are more important. Most of the time I have made the references more precise and complete, sometimes also I have corrected certain errors. In reading your pages I have doubly regretted that I did not have more time for you when you were here and was unable to orient you better and more completely myself. I explain to you here the things I would have explained to you if I had longer and better conversations with you. And I change here also some inaccuracies in the conversations with me which you have reproduced…The nice account of the hospital I have not entitled ‘Worms and their Cure’ which is too far-fetched and incomplete, but I have called it quite simply ‘At Dr. Schweitzer’s Hospital’ which corresponds more truly with the content of the following pages…Occasionally with the help of Miss Emma I have furnished you with English lines in place of French. You will turn them into true English rather than the wooden English in which they are…Do not chide me for having changed certain pages and replace my prose for yours. You know well I am fond of and devoted to you and how much I desire your book to succeed. I did not talk with you as I should have and wished to do when you were here to my great regret. I am trying to remedy this lack in speaking to you through the changes made by my pen." Accompanied by a full translation. Despite Schweitzer’s request, the chapter title ‘Worms and their Cure’ remained in the final published book.

The photographic archive is comprised of mostly unpublished photos, various sizes, taken by Charles R. Joy to illustrate the book. This includes over 1,000 small 2.5 x 2.5 photos affixed to larger cards, a large percentage of which which have become stuck together over time due to storage conditions and moisture exposure. Also includes well over 100 photos measuring approximately 8 x 10 or larger, in better but varying condition, showing Schweitzer and various aspects of his life in Africa.

Archive rates in overall very good to fine condition and is accompanied by a 1958 revised edition of The Africa of Albert Schweitzer, signed on the title page by Joy; an original Dutch hardcover edition of the book; and a retained carbon copy of one of co-author Melvin Arnold’s letters to Schweitzer regarding his revisions. Charles Joy was a prominent Unitarian minister who became widely known for his translations of Schweitzer’s works, publishing eight different books either by or about him. Joy was also involved with the Unitarian Service Committee, and helped to provide funding to save Schweitzer’s hospital in 1946 while it was on the verge of closing. An absolutely remarkable archive lending insight into what Schweitzer considered most important in the story of his life and work in Africa.