Discovered! Wainwright’s typescripts for his large-format books
The original typescripts produced by Alfred Wainwright for his eight large-format books, published between 1984 and 1992, have recently come to light. These include a vast quantity of original sketches and maps, as well as text.
Jenny Dereham, an Honorary Member of the Society, was the Editorial Director at Michael Joseph Ltd. and responsible for the publication of the eight large-format books that Wainwright produced in the last several years of his life. These books (with photographs by Derry Brabbs, except for Wainwright in the Limestone Dales, for which the photographer was Ed Geldard) are:
Fellwalking with Wainwright 1984
Wainwright on the Pennine Way 1985
Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Walk 1987
Wainwright in Scotland 1988
Wainwright on the Lakeland Mountain Passes 1989
Wainwright in the Limestone Dales 1991
Wainwright’s Favourite Mountains 1991
Wainwright in the Valleys of Lakeland 1992
Jenny contacted David Johnson, Editor of the Society’s magazine, Footsteps, to say she had discovered the original typescripts for these books amongst her papers. An article about this was included in the Autumn 2019 issue of the magazine and further articles will appear as the typescripts are examined in detail.
Each typescript, comprising around 200 pages, is set out by Wainwright in precise detail, with typed text, drawings and hand-drawn route diagrams and outline sketches for photographs to be taken, together with annotations to guide the photographer. The drawings are cut out of his books (literally ‘cut and paste’ jobs). In places, Wainwright wrote the chapter title in his inimitable handwriting.
Some statistics might give an idea of just how impressive these typescripts are: in total there are over 1,700 pages, more than 100 original maps or route diagrams and almost 2,000 hand-drawn outline sketches.
One remarkable item in the typescript for Wainwright in the Valleys of Lakeland is the piece of paper on which Wainwright typed the book’s Introduction. This was the very last item of work he produced, evidenced by it being found in his typewriter shortly after his death. It was typed, slightly askew, on both sides of a scrap of paper. This item looks at first sight unimpressive, but its content certainly is not. The Introduction is very poignant, ending with: “From a slippered retirement, goodbye.”
After a full examination, the typescripts (together with the typescript for Wainwright’s Tour in the Lake District, produced by Jenny Dereham after Wainwright’s death) will be deposited, as agreed by the copyright holder (the Wainwright Estate), in the Wainwright Archive, which is kept at the County Offices in Kendal