[ L. P. Hartley, novelist. ] Two typewritten drafts of his final short story 'The Ugly Picture', one headed in autograph 'First Version | (with description of <Verdley?> picture)'.

'The Ugly Picture' was L. P. Hartley's final short story. It appeared in the Christmas issue of the Spectator, 23 December 1972, a few days before his death. There is a synopsis in Adrian Wright's 'Foreign Country: The Life of L. P. Hartley' (1996). Neither of the two drafts present here corresponds with the published version, whose ending, for example, has been heavily reworked from the ending to the later of the two drafts. The two items are both in good condition, each on loose leaves (one side only) of paper attached with a safety pin. ONE: Earlier draft with drophead title 'The Ugly Picture' (author not named). 18pp., 4to, paginated [1]-18. In Hartley's autograph at head: 'First Version | (with description of picture)'. All but the first page carbon copies. With a few minor emendations in Hartley's hand. TWO: Corrected later draft, with cover leaf reading 'THE UGLY PICTURE | By | L. P. Hartley'. [1] + 20pp., 4to. Story paginated [1]-20. Minor emendations in Hartley's autograph throughout, with a handful of substitutions such as 'happy' to 'proud', and 'eye' to 'attention'. Also present is a photocopy of Item One.