Audrey Hepburn

The typescript, covered in Truman Capote’s handwritten edits, sold to an anonymous buyer at Sotheby’s London for more than double the pre-sale estimate of £120,000-£180,000.

The manuscript has revealed that Capote gave his famous heroine Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, the alternative name of Connie Gustafson.

Until the very last draft, Holly was known by another name and at the final stage every reference to Connie is crossed out and replaced with Holly, The Evening Express reports. 

Dr Gabriel Heaton, specialist in books and manuscripts at Sotheby’s, said: “The character of Holly Golightly is of course the heart of Breakfast At Tiffany’s, and the most striking change made by Capote in this draft relates to her.

“Whilst Connie Gustafson may be more plausible as a child bride from Tulip, Texas, she would never have had the impact on the world that she has had as Holly Golightly.

“Undoubtedly one of the great names of modern comedy, it is as magnificently implausible as its owner and connects to her character in a number of ways: ‘Golightly’ reflects the lightness with which she treats the world, her lack of attachment to place, and perhaps hints at promiscuity, whilst ‘Holly’ will prickle if you get too close.”