A few months ago I went through a late relatives things which were given to me and one of the items was the original bound & typed manuscript for Lenny Bruce's autobiography "How To Talk Dirty and Influence People."
On the front cover it has the title circled and the handwritten statement:
"Working title: Must be changed in view of Esquire conflict w/ Playboy"
Signed "JNS" which after some quick research appears to be Jack Sobel his manager.
I couldn't begin to venture a guess at it's value and I honestly didn't know who Lenny Bruce was until now... but after reading about him he is an influence on a large number of big comedians which makes this discovery of mine pretty special.
Does anyone have a guess at what this could go for in an auction? I know it's a very broad question but I am hoping there have been other items of similiar caliber someone has seen to give me some kind of reference point. I looked in as many places as I could find online for anything to give me an idea but have come up with nothing so far.
The manuscript itself is in great condition and was specifically given to me by my late great uncle who was a magazine photographer / writer in New York. Unfortunately the previous details are all I have - how he acquired it I am not sure.