UGLY DUCKLINGS: THE UNITED STATES HALF CENTS 1793–1857. AN EXERCISE IN DESCRIPTIVE CLASSIFICATION.
New York: F.C.C. Boyd Foundation, 1959. [Most of title page information crossed out.] Photocopy [1966 or later] of over 200 pages of typewritten manuscript, the original of which was heavily annotated in ink. Near fine. Item #5010
An early working draft of the book that developed into Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents: 1793–1857 (published 1983). This typescript is earlier than usually seen, and builds on the work as it existed in the late 1950s. Most pages include corrections, and many had been heavily annotated by Breen prior to photocopying. Most pages of fine quality; a few pages are overly light or dark. An interesting and important typescript showing Breen's composition process. The July 1966 date of the charming Preface (which shows Breen as his best) seems about right for the typewritten material that follows. Copies like this circulated for years as Breen unsuccessfully sought a publisher of the work.
Price: $95.00