Description:

Maria von Trapp Typed Manuscript Signed from Autobiography "My Own Story" (1972)

Typed manuscript signed, 5p, measuring 8.5" x 11", n.p., ca. 1972. A five page typed excerpt from chapter 3 of Maria von Trapp's autobiography entitled Maria: My Own Story, first published in 1972. The chapter, "Learning to Live", describes how she ran away from home as a teenager, leaving her legal guardian "Uncle Franz", and her attempts to save money in order to attend a teacher's college. Boldly signed on last page as "Maria von Trapp" in blue ballpoint pen. The watermarked onionskin paper features minor wear, including some creasing, light toning, and various typewriting defects in places, not affecting visibility or comprehension of text. Near fine overall. 

An excerpt from page 2 reads:

"I waited until Uncle Franz took his nap after lunch. I knew he had a habit of emptying his pockets before he lay down. So I tiptoed in, grabbed all the money on his night table, anxiously watching that the clicking noise of the coins wouldn't wake him. Then I tiptoed out, grabbed my huge basket, kissed my old mother and Katie, and said 'Auf Wiedersehn'….

Maria Augusta von Trapp (1905-1987) was the stepmother and matriarch of the von Trapp family singers following her marriage to Georg Ritter von Trapp in 1927. The two met while Maria was working as a teacher to one of his seven children. Trapp, a retired naval officer and widower, observed how much Maria cared for his children and asked her to marry him. Despite her original intentions to become a nun, she agreed to the match and was married on November 26, 1927. In addition to becoming the mother of Trapp's seven children from his previous marriage, the couple would have three more kids of their own. The family had historically decided to leave their native Austria in 1938 following Hitler's annexation of the region, traveling around Europe until finally settling in America in 1941. Throughout the rest of their time in the United States, the Trapps would record several records and perform in over 30 countries, until their eventual retirement in 1957. Maria's memoir, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, inspired several film and stage adaptations, including the 1965 film The Sound of Music starring actress Julie Andrews as Maria.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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