Willis E. McNelly Science Fiction Collection: Ray Bradbury papers (Collection)

The Ray Bradbury papers document the literary career of acclaimed science fiction author Ray Bradbury (1920-2012), with materials dating from 1946 to 1981, and the bulk of the collection spanning 1952 to 1972. The collection is arranged into multiple series including Fahrenheit 451 manuscripts and books, short stories, articles, plays, poetry, and published works.

The collection's core strength lies in its extensive manuscript materials related to Bradbury's masterwork, Fahrenheit 451 (1953). The manuscripts document the novel's evolution from its earlier incarnation as "The Fireman" (15 leaves plus "The Burning Years") through multiple revisions dated April-July 1953. The collection includes "The Fireman" revisions (20 leaves), a first revision from April/May 1953, and two second revisions from May/June/July 1953. Multiple drafts contain original typescripts with author's revisions, original envelopes and folders that provide insight into Bradbury's creative process. The Fahrenheit 451 series also includes published editions: two paperback copies of the first edition Ballantine publication (1953), later paperback printings from 1967 and 1971 (the latter an autographed copy), and hardcover and paperback editions from 1967 and 1991.

Short story manuscripts represent another significant component, featuring working drafts with extensive revisions for stories published in major collections including The Machineries of Joy, A Medicine for Melancholy, The Golden Apples of the Sun, and The Illustrated Man. Notable titles include "The Anthem Sprinters" (also titled "The Queen's Own Evaders," 1960), "The Best of All Possible Worlds" (multiple drafts from 1958-1959), "The Day It Rained Forever" (1954), "Down Wind from Gettysburg" (working title "Sic Semper Tyrannis II," 1965, with illustration), "A Final Sceptre, A Lasting Crown" (working title "The Last Man and Blue," 1968, with pen drawing), "The Golden Kite and Silver Wind," "The Life Work of Juan Diaz" (multiple drafts spanning 1946-1955), "The Man," "A Sea Burial" (1959), "The Straw," and "To the Chicago Abyss" (working title "One Fare to Chicago Abyss," 1962-1963). Manuscripts often contain multiple drafts, correspondence, original author's folders showing dates and word counts, and revision notes in Bradbury's hand.

The articles, plays, and poetry series contains materials related to Bradbury's work in drama and poetry. This includes the musical adaptation of Dandelion Wine (fifth edition, May 1967), featuring a 92-leaf typescript reproduction with music by William Goldenberg and lyrics by Larry Alexander, plus an autographed program from the 1971-1972 California State College Fullerton Department of Theatre production, a brochure for the theatre season, and a newspaper article announcing Bradbury's involvement. Poems include "Let Us Live But Safely; No Bright Flag Be Ours!" (4-leaf typescript with 1980-1981 correspondence to Edward Teja) and "Pope Android Seventh" (4-leaf typescript with periodical publication in EDN October 14, 1981, brochure, and correspondence to Ed Teja from February-April 1981). The series also includes a one-act play manuscript, "Pip! or Any Friend of Nicholas Nickleby's Is a Friend of Mine" (58 leaves with revisions); articles "Death Warmed Over" (published in Playboy, August 1966, with typescript and carbon copies) and "The Girls Walk This Way; The Boys Walk That Way...A Dream for Los Angeles in the '70s" (tear sheets from The Los Angeles Times West Magazine, April 5, 1970); the periodical "Mars and the Mind of Man" (published in Engineering and Science, January 1972, documenting a Caltech panel discussion featuring Bradbury and Arthur Clarke); and newspaper clippings including coverage from The Los Angeles Times (March 15, 1970) and a TV Guide review of Martian Chronicles (September 10, 1982).

Published works in the collection span both hardcover and paperback editions. Hardcover volumes include Death Is a Lonely Business (1985), The Golden Apples of the Sun (1953, 1959), The Illustrated Man (1951 first edition and 1958 edition, with two copies of the latter), The Machineries of Joy (1964), The Silver Locusts (1951), Switch on the Night (1955), That Son of Richard III (1974), and That Ghost, That Bride of Time (1976, signed by author with slipcase). Paperback editions include Contact by Noel Keyes (1963), multiple editions of Dandelion Wine (1957, 1965, 1969), The Golden Apples of the Sun (1954, 1970), The Martian Chronicles (1946, 1958), A Medicine for Melancholy (1959), The October Country (1956, 1971), The Illustrated Man (1952, 1954), The Machineries of Joy (1965), Invasion from Mars (1965), Something Wicked This Way Comes (1970 printing, autographed), Timeless Stories for Today and Tomorrow (1967 printing), and Three to the Highest Power with Theodore Sturgeon and Chad Oliver (1968). Also included are Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (May 1963), The Science Fiction Galaxy edited by Groff Conklin (1950), and Ray Bradbury Review by William F. Nolan (1952).

The collection includes a substantial selection of specialty press publications printed by Roy A. Squires of Glendale, California. Bradbury works published by Squires include The Pedestrian (1951), That Ghost, That Bride of Time (1976, signed), The Aqueduct (1979), and Old Ahab's Friend, and Friend to Noah, Speaks His Piece; A Celebration (1971). The Roy A. Squires Press materials also include publications by other fantasy and science fiction authors: works by Clark Ashton Smith including poetry collections and The Fugitive Poems (multiple fascicles from the Zothique and Xiccarph editions, 1970-1977); works by Robert E. Howard (1972-1977); H.P. Lovecraft publications from the Miskatonic Edition (1969-1979); and works by Fritz Leiber (Sonnets to Jonquil and All, 1978; The Demons of the Upper Air, 1969) and Frank Belknap Long (The Marriage of Sir John de Mandeville, 1976, signed 50th anniversary edition). Roy A. Squires Press ephemera includes bulletins, publications, a checklist of imprints (1970), greeting cards, announcements, and a pamphlet displaying type specimens (1977) with correspondence.

Supplementary materials include two signs used for speaking engagements: one reading "Ray Bradbury" and another stating "Will speak on: 'creativity in the space age'" with photograph.