'A GIFT OF THE GODS" [Short story]. Typed manuscript (TMs), with numerous autograph edits. 30 hand-numbered leaves of letter-size bond written on one side only. Together with partial typed manuscript, six leaves, incorporating some revisions of the story by Wilson, Gahan

The typescript was produced on an early dot-matrix computer printer. The corrections are in pencil in Wilson's hand. Also included is a second fair-copy draft of part of the story, with typed pages numbered 24--28 and 30 (the last page). The story, an unusual tale of a boy's encounter with a monster and a monster costume, was first published in the October 1984 issue of PLAYBOY, The story was reprinted in THE CLEFT AND OTHER ODD TALES, a 1998 collection published by Tor. Wilson, known primarily for his distinctively macabre-but-funny cartoons has also been quite active as a writer of fiction, a book reviewer for THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION, and an anthologist of weird tales. "Grotesque" is perhaps the best single term for his style, with its connotation of medieval gargoyles. His stories are Gahan Wilson cartoons come to life. Aside from some mild paper-clip indents at upper left corners, the manuscript is in nearly fine condition. (#140971)