Robert E. Howard’s writings
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Exact textual stateDraft

The Voice of Death

Part of The Voice of Death

StateDraft 5 (final)Surviving witnesses2TSS catalogue units34
Textual identity is not textual authority. “Catalogue primary/default” selects the default catalogue representation; it does not mean that this wording is automatically Howard’s most authoritative text.

Characters in this exact text

Abner JeppardAbner Jeppard — Edward Willington's uncle and guardian who engineers the hidden-voice murder schemeOn Pagefirst: Edward identifies his uncle/guardian on the porch.Edward WillingtonEdward Willington — young man manipulated into believing he is being driven to murder James ClantonOn Pagefirst: Opening accident scene.James ClantonJames Clanton — Edward Willington's best friend and intended victim in The Voice of DeathOn Pagefirst: Opening accident scene.Steve HarrisonSteve Harrison — private detective and central protagonist of Lord of the DeadOn Pagefirst: Opening accident scene.

Surviving manuscript evidence

The records below describe surviving physical typescripts, carbons, manuscript material and documentary catalogue evidence for this exact textual state. TSS numbers identify physical catalogue units; they are not story or draft IDs.

Source Draft 4 - faint carbon witness of the final Draft 5 textHoward carbon copy
Extent17 pagesCompletenessComplete

Physical extent: Complete 17-page faint carbon copy of Draft 5

TSS: 30092-30108

Untitled faint carbon copy preserving the same textual state as the final Draft 5 typescript.

Additional documentary notes

  • Faint text: First Cuts describes the carbon as faint. (witness level)
  • Carbon Copy: First Cuts explicitly identifies source Draft 4 as a carbon copy of Draft 5. (witness level)
  • Duplicate Witness Same Textual State: This physical carbon and the Draft 5 original preserve one textual state in REH Writings. (witness level)

Source: Hardboiled Manuscripts, Volume 1 v0.75, Editorial Notes p. 211; source-labelled Draft 4 pp. 243-257

Source Draft 5 - final original/submission typescriptHoward submission typescript
Extent17 pagesCompletenessComplete

Physical extent: Complete 17-page titled/bylined final typescript with word count and OAK stamp

TSS: 28811-28827

Final Howard typescript, complete, titled and bylined, with approximate word count and Otis Adelbert Kline Agency stamp; returned by the agency and held by the Cross Plains Public Library.

Manuscript details

BylineThe final witness is bylined Robert E. Howard.first page / witness levelWord countThe final witness carries an approximate word count of 4,800 words.first page / witness level

Additional documentary notes

  • Title present on typescript: The final witness bears the title THE VOICE OF DEATH. (first page / witness level)
  • Oak Agency Stamp: An Otis Adelbert Kline Agency stamp appears on the final witness. (witness level)
  • Repository Location: The returned final typescript is held by the Cross Plains Public Library. (witness level)

Source: Hardboiled Manuscripts, Volume 1 v0.75, Editorial Notes p. 211; Draft 5 pp. 259-274