Notes and Draft Manuscript

Archive Unit
  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 58 Add MS 88931/6/4
  • Alternative Id.
      (ark) ark:/81055/vdc_100000001202.0x00030c
  • Dates of Creation
      1951-c 1960
  • Language of Material
      English
  • Physical Description
      2 files

Scope and Content

Comprises four parts:

  • A: 'Chinese Puzzle'. Loose leaves with notes and draft of chapter 1 of Peake's memoir about his childhood in China. Inscribed 'Smarden 1951 July'.
  • B: Autograph notebook with notes on Tientsin Grammar School, Eltham College, Kuling, the Compound, Shanghai and various childhood events. Also includes beginning of early draft of manuscript.
  • C: Autograph notebook entitled 'Chinese Notes'. Notes on childhood events, most involving Laura [family friend Elsie Laura Beckingsale]. With rough sketches. Loose leaf with draft of recollections about life in the Compound. Also includes loose leaf with fragments of verse: 'You before me' (nonsense poem), 'Beard of my chin' and 'Although I love him I could never find'.
  • D: Loose leaves of manuscript (Gormenghast typescript on reverse of some) with multiple versions of the opening chapter.

Access Information

Unrestricted

Not Public Record(s)