KATHERINE MANSFIELD

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1931, Page 3

KATHERINE MANSFIELD

BIOGRAPHER’S INQUIRIES. SOME INTERVIEWED. Her work in New Zealand completed, Miss Ruth Elvish Alantz, biographer of Katherine Mansfield, sailed for England last week. She has been four months in the Dominion, collecting material for her book. 1 “I feel now that I know more than anyone in England or America of the early days of Katherine Mansfield, Aliss Alantz said, “and I certainly have acquired a point of view. Getting about a great deal I have also seen the country which Katherine Alansfield knew, and I regret leaving more than I can say. The°next thing" is to work in London, where I pliall be for a year.” Aliss Mantz declares that her visit has resulted in clearing up many doubtful points of the early history of the famous New Zealand writer, as well as the accumulation of much early material not before published. Particularly interesting have been the meetings with some of the originals. of characters portrayed in the short stories, though some of those depicted have not been very sympathetic in their attitude towards the writer. Prices of Katherine Mansfield first editions continue to soar in‘the United States, says the American visitor, and “Bliss” is now calculated to be worth 150 dollars. The first edition of this book is recognisable at once because of a misprint which has resulted in page 13 beincr numbered “page 3.” Supplies of this'book vanished in somo strange manner, says Aliss Alantz. There is a story current that a large consignment of the first edition which came to New Zealand was destroyed by persons flgurinw in the stories who did not relish the manner in which they were drawn.