First editions, letters, manuscripts and proofs annotated by Conrad form part of 'greatest single-author collection' ever sold
Joseph Conrad: the centrepiece of the sale is Conrad’s handwritten manuscript of Typhoon, which will have an estimate of between £300,000-500,000. Photograph: Alvin Langdon Coburn/Getty Images
A remarkable Joseph Conrad collection billed as the greatest single-author hoard ever to appear on the market, is to be sold at auction.
First editions, letters, manuscripts and proofs annotated by Conrad were assiduously assembled over decades by the reclusive and idiosyncratic collector Stanley J Seeger. The collection includes Sylvia Plath's copy of Lord Jim, which Ted Hughes read to her.
"This is the greatest single author collection pertaining to a modern writer to come to auction within living memory," said Sotheby's books and manuscripts senior specialist Peter Selley.
Even though English was Conrad's third language – after his native Polish and French – the writer established himself as a giant of English literature with novels such as Heart of Darkness, The Secret Agent and Nostromo – a novel that F Scott Fitzgerald said he would have liked to have written above any other.
The collection – which will be sold in two sales, both with around 200 lots – includes many jewels that cast light not just on Conrad and his writing, but on other literary figures.
Sylvia Plath's copy of Lord Jim, with extensive underlining and annotations, contains a note written by her husband, Ted Hughes, which reads: "I read the novel, this copy, aloud to Sylvia, in the evening, while she was making her rag rug – 1962" (the year before her suicide).
There are annotations and scribblings – some in green felt tip – throughout. In chapter 11 Plath writes "disenchantment – cruel irony of young illusion of sea" and in the author's note Plath has underlined Conrad's comment about "Thinking it over for something like sixteen years." Plath adds: "Never commit yourself hastily, I always say!"
More
First editions, letters, manuscripts and proofs annotated by Conrad were assiduously assembled over decades by the reclusive and idiosyncratic collector Stanley J Seeger. The collection includes Sylvia Plath's copy of Lord Jim, which Ted Hughes read to her.
"This is the greatest single author collection pertaining to a modern writer to come to auction within living memory," said Sotheby's books and manuscripts senior specialist Peter Selley.
Even though English was Conrad's third language – after his native Polish and French – the writer established himself as a giant of English literature with novels such as Heart of Darkness, The Secret Agent and Nostromo – a novel that F Scott Fitzgerald said he would have liked to have written above any other.
The collection – which will be sold in two sales, both with around 200 lots – includes many jewels that cast light not just on Conrad and his writing, but on other literary figures.
Sylvia Plath's copy of Lord Jim, with extensive underlining and annotations, contains a note written by her husband, Ted Hughes, which reads: "I read the novel, this copy, aloud to Sylvia, in the evening, while she was making her rag rug – 1962" (the year before her suicide).
There are annotations and scribblings – some in green felt tip – throughout. In chapter 11 Plath writes "disenchantment – cruel irony of young illusion of sea" and in the author's note Plath has underlined Conrad's comment about "Thinking it over for something like sixteen years." Plath adds: "Never commit yourself hastily, I always say!"
More
No comments:
Post a Comment