WANDREI, Donald (1908-1987). Archive of a Signed Manuscript, Two Typed Letters, and One Publisher's Mock-Up. [St. Paul, MN and New York, ca., 1974-1975]. Archive includes: a six-page typed manuscript of an article, "The Derleth 'Posthumous Collaborations' with Lovecraft" by Wandrei, submitted to the "Book Review Editor The New York Times..." On white paper. Signed by Wandrei on the final page and inscribed by him on the first page: "Presentation copy for the Book Review Editor of The New York Times signed by the author Feb 5 1979 D. W" [And:] Typed Letter Signed by John Leonard, Editor of The New York Times Book Review, February 17, 1975 on stationery. Refusal letter of the above manuscript article. [And:] Typed Note Unsigned by Wandrei to the Editor of the New York Times Book Review, briefly describing The Watchers Out of Time, published by Arkham House, Publishers. [And:] Publisher's photocopied mockup (seven folded pages) of The Watchers Out of Time of the jacket and flaps, the title-page, Contents page, Foreword, and final page of text, all with Wandrei's manuscript notes in blue ballpoint.

The Watchers Out of Time was billed as a posthumous collaboration between H. P. Lovecraft and August Derleth, but several reviewers stated that it should have been billed as being by Derleth only, as he wrote most of these stories with only fragments of material by Lovecraft. Wandrei had to write letters explaining his decision to bill this book as such (Derleth had died in 1971).

Typed manuscript toned, with three horizontal creases, staple at upper left. Fine. [And:] John Leonard letter toned, two horizontal creases, several chips and tears at upper margin, paperclip mark. Good. [And:] Typed Note Unsigned is toned, creased, with paperclip mark. Good. [And:] Mock-up of The Watchers Out of Time is toned, folded at centers, some interior creasing, soiling, a few tears. Very good.