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.
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.
Draft 1 — handwritten Howard manuscriptOther physical witness
Extent8 pagesCompletenessIncomplete
Physical extent: 8 TSS catalogue units
TSS: 51187, 51188, 51189, 51190, 51191, 51192, 51193, 51194
Eight-page handwritten Robert E. Howard manuscript witness to "Golden Hope" Christmas — Draft 1.
Additional documentary notes
- Handwritten Manuscript: The witness is explicitly handwritten. (witness level)
- Untitled Witness: The manuscript is explicitly untitled. (witness level)
- Unfinished Composition: The manuscript is explicitly unfinished. (witness level)
- Explicit Missing Section: The source says Chapter 2 is missing. (witness level)
- Chronology Uncertain: The source says 'likely an early draft'; chronology remains uncertain. (witness level) · Uncertain
Source: 000 TSS of REH moving towards final.xls · Complete List · Golden Hope Christmas (d1) · TSS 51187, 51188, 51189, 51190, 51191, 51192, 51193, 51194 · spreadsheet rows 5859–5866