Publisher's galley proofs. Unbound in thirteen loose sections. Chatwin's own copy with his corrections throughout in his brown ink and pencil. Numerous authorial notes and references covering the first page (half title) followed by corrections and emendations to virtually every page. These consist mainly of typographical corrections or stylistic changes, but include a number of more significant notes. A few paragraphs are rewritten and a section at the end of chapter 46 recounting a story of Archie Tuffnell's promiscuity is labelled, "all libel" and subsequently excised from the published text. Slight dustiness to first and last pages, but generally in near fine condition.

Bruce Chatwin's visit to Patagonia and his subsequent book, one of the most highly regarded post war travel accounts, was precipitated by a chance meeting in 1972 with the Irish designer, Eileen Gray.
"That's one of the place I've always wanted to go to," he said upon seeing a map of Patagonia on the wall of Gray's Paris apartment. "Allez-y pour moi," replied Gray.
The book, written mostly in a small island off Connecticut, was subject to much revision. He wrote to his parents in August 1975, having completed half the book, "There is a 3-inch pile of manuscript, much of which will have to be scrapped when I come to revision."
The completed manuscript was presented to his agent, Deborah Rogers a year later; "quite wonderful, though does need some work," (Shakespeare - Bruce Chatwin) was Rogers's assessment. These page proofs were ready in early 1977 whilst Chatwin was in Brazil, but were mislaid by the Brazilian post, "... now Tom's [Maschler] proof of Patagonia has got lost in the post between Rio and Bahia just when I have to go off north." (Shakespeare)
In fact they turned up two days later and Chatwin made his corrections, returning the proofs to Cape before heading to San Luis de Marañon. Further significant amendments were made, including the sectioning of an extra chapter (these proofs have 96 chapters, the finished book 97), between receipt of these corrected proofs and publication.

Stock ID: 34755