Incredible unpublished 19-page working manuscript for Jean-Paul Sartre’s Critique of Dialectical Reason

479. Jean-Paul Sartre Handwritten Manuscript for ‘Critique of Dialectical Reason’. Substantial handwritten manuscript fragment in French, unsigned, nineteen gridded pages, 8.25 x 10.5, no date. An untranslated and unpublished portion of Sartre’s working manuscript for the important philosophical book Critique of Dialectical Reason, containing some thoughts on his existentialist understanding of the political dimension of human existence. The manuscript concerns a diverse selection of material from throughout the book, with each page relating to a different passage and often greatly differing from the final version as published in 1960. In fine condition, with light toning, and some small edge tears and losses.

Following his 1943 work Being and Nothingness, Critique of Dialectical Reason was Sartre’s second large-scale philosophical treatise and ranks among the most significant philosophical works in his corpus. His concern in the Critique is with the historical significance of everyday life examined through the lens of Marxism and the work represents his greatest attempt at synthesizing his existentialist philosophy with sociological analysis. Owing to its complexities and nuance the Critique is one of Sartre’s most discussed and relevant works today, with some arguing that it represents a departure from his original existentialism while others read it as a continuation and elaboration upon his earlier work. Sartre himself considered Critique of Dialectical Reason one of his most important pieces and near the end of his life declared it the principal philosophical work for which he wished to be remembered. Penned by Sartre in the course of writing his Critique, this lengthy manuscript represents a remarkable development in the history of 20th-century thought. Starting Bid $500

500. Glenn Gould Signed Album. Canadian pianist, composer, and commentator (1932-1982) revered as one of the foremost classical pianists of the 20th century, and renowned for his interpretations of the keyboard music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach: The Goldberg Variations album signed and inscribed on the reverse in red ballpoint, “To Ch. Hutchinson, with all best wishes, Glenn Gould, Oct/61.” In very good to fine condition, with partial edge separations. The record is included. Gould is scarce in any format, with this being just the third signed album we have offered. Starting Bid $200

501. Giacomo Puccini Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in Italian, signed “Giacomo,” one page, 6.25 x 9.75, personal Via Verdi letterhead, no date but postmarked December 29, 1907. Untranslated handwritten letter to his friend and confidante Sybil Seligman in London. Addressed on the reverse in Puccini’s hand. In fine condition, with scattered small stains. Starting Bid $200