This collection consists of an advance copy (bound unpaged galley proofs) of the first edition, first state; and an advance copy (bound unpaged galley proofs) of the first edition, second state, of Sturgeon's 1953 novel More Than Human.
The proofs represent the first state of the text without Sturgeon's extensive last-minute changes made at the publisher's office. A handwritten signed note by Sturgeon dated August 1954 on the inside front cover reads: "A few hours before 'More Than Human' went to press, the author felt a profound dissatisfaction with the last section. Working in the corner of a busy office at his publisher's, he rewrote the final portion. This is, as far as he knows, the only copy extant of the book before these changes were made. It is donated, with the author's warmest good wishes, to the World Science Fiction Convention of 1954, at San Francisco."
The revisions to the galleys were made on leaves 16, 120, 136, 139, and 144-145 and consisted mostly of insertions of new copy, ranging from about 150 words in one case to about 1500 in another (at the story's conclusion).
The proofs are accompanied by a signed letter, dated August 25, 1954, from Sturgeon (signed "Ted") to "Les" (probably Lester Cole, co-chairman of the convention) on Sturgeon's stationery, with an autograph postscript. This is the cover letter sent with the proof, in which Sturgeon explains why he will not be able to attend the 1954 convention due to a death in the family. He expresses sincere regret and names those to whom he would like to have his greetings conveyed, including "the six (at least) X's. These last are the handful, among all the wonderful people there, whom [sic] I haven't met yet but would discover and have for lifelong friends if only I could be there."
