BECKETT, SAMUEL
Original black and white portrait photograph by John Haynes
50.5 x 38 cms., Royal Court Theatre: 1973
- $3,282
A stunning image - approximately twice life-size - of the Nobel Prize-winning author staring fiercely but forgivingly into the soul of the beholder. "Fail better", said Sam - and "Nohow on, I'll go on." One of Haynes's iconic series of images of Beckett taken at the Royal Court Theatre. Silver gelatin print with light wear to edges. Provenance: Bassenge Auctions, Berlin; collection of Herbert Blank.
More from Peter Grogan
Substantial archive of correspondence with a publisher
Comprising 24 autograph letters (48pp.), 19 typed letters ( 38pp.) and ten autograph postcards, all signed. The early letters concern an unrealised project to publish a collection of Middleton's poems: (from the earliest): "Joe Kennedy has suggested to me that I should contact you regarding your series of poetry chapbooks. I do not know if you have read any of my work, but I'm sending you a rather abstruse cycle of texts, minus two notes which are explicative but available (one from Shklovsky, the other about Nada) in the hope that, even if you haven't read anything of mine, you might give this cycle a good look." A second project, an American edition of "The Lonely Suppers of W.V. Balloon" meets with more success and thereafter the tone of the letters becomes more that of those between friends. (16 September 1982): "Sorry about your difficulties with the ladies. What can be the problem? Are you too wrapped up in yourself? That's often the trouble nowadays, it seems; the man who never steps outside of himself, or just trundles along without a show of initiative, the opaque man who lives in his dull old fantasies . . .". Throughout, the letters provide a wealth of biographical detail: (from the final one, at which point the author was in his 80th year): "So, anyway, I got about in June: 3 weeks in Turkey, one of which was spent in Urgup in Cappadocia . . . and in Istanbul where I met heaps of very interesting people. Berlin held me, before Paris, for ten days." Together with: four-pp. "Author Information Sheet" (1975) completed in detail by Middleton; three-pp. autograph fair copy of "Svatava's Dream" inscribed to the recipient; copies of outgoing correspondence for the earlier letters. Autograph letter signed
The notorious (and hilarious) south London brothel-keeper writes to a London publisher (and friend) as potential `guests': "I'm giving an evening party on Friday . . . and I thought you two can turn up for a laugh." "It will not be as wild as before, but I think you could be interested in two girls I know that are in your scene." "Of course no need to tell you to keep quiet about all this. I don't want to land in jail again then none of us will earn out of it! HA HA." Slight smudging to ink on recto but in very good condition. Archive of typed letters signed to a publisher
Five typed letters and two typed postcards signed discussing possible publishing projects and consultancy roles for the polymath. "The Cambridge/Geneva situation is emotionally and physically destructive. I have continued to produce the best work I can against bitter odds and in a torn condition of existence. But even my most modest, impersonal work finds no favour in the Oxbridge-London circuit (witness Warnock and what is, doubtless, to come). In its own panic and sense of decay (exaggerated), the establishment here hunts in packs, and I am sick at heart." Together with: three pages of typescript memoranda by the recipient of notes from his meetings with Steiner and his thoughts on the state of comparative literature studies. In excellent condition. Archive of typed letters signed to his editor
Four breezy autograph letters and one autograph postcard signed from the much-loved academic and author to his editor, discussing plans for a forthcoming book on Shakespeare's tragedies. "I blush, of course, to puff, but I think it is worth making the point that a general and comparative book on Shak's tragedies hasn't occurred for some time." "Just off to Denver for 14 days. I fear my wife [Iris Murdoch] is v. romantic about the Rockies!" "We are housebound this year with a mother, but rather relaxing. All best from Iris." Together with: one-page typescript synopsis outline for the planned book, published as "Shakespeare and Tragedy" by Routledge & Kegan Paul in 1981. In nice condition. Archive of typed letters signed to an editor
Comprising 18 typed letters (27pp.), one autograph letter (two pp.) and two autograph postcards, all signed. (From the earliest): "Here's a manuscript. I hope you can use it. I think it's about the right length. If it needs cutting we can cut it." (From the next): "Many thanks for your letter, and your absolutely instantaneous decision. I am delighted to be doing a book with you. The books in the first series were so lovely . . . My wife - who is also a poet, Jane Kenyon - loves them also." Together with: copy typescript of the poem "O Cheese" signed in pencil. Further details on request. Three autograph and two typed letters signed and one autograph note with design to verso
Letters to an editor, most on the distinctive letterhead depicting his residence in The Tower, Whitehall Court in London, and one on verso of his South Bank stationery; mostly complaining about perceived delays and inefficiencies in preparing two books for publication. He appears to have had a point as one of the projects - with the working title of "Topolski's Theatre" - seems not to have come to fruition. The other - his illustrations for John Elsom's "Post-War British Theatre Criticism" - was published by Routledge & Kegan Paul in 1981. "I have all the originally ordered photographs but a few will have to be added, such as those of pictures lent by Sir Michael Redgrave etc." "I feel flattered/over-burdened by you leaving crucial decisions to me." The autograph note has a rough page-layout to verso. In excellent condition. Important early correspondence and unpublished poetry
Eleven typed letters signed (16pp.), one autograph letter signed (2pp.) and three autograph postcards signed to an editor. The earlier letters relate mostly to the publication of the later Poet Laureate's critical study - expanded from his doctoral thesis - of Edward Thomas, published by Routledge & Kegan Paul in 1980. The later letters concern a proposed - but unrealised - collection of poems for the same publisher and Motion's dilemma about parting ways with his previous publisher Richard Schmidt at Carcanet Press. Together with: 25-pp. photocopy typescript of the poems for inclusion in the intended volume, signed at the head of the first page and with a couple of minor corrections in ink by Motion. Some of the poems subsequently appeared - mostly in radically different versions - in the collection "Secret Narratives", published by Salamander Press in 1983 while much of it appears to remain unpublished. Further details on request. Four typed letters signed to Tom Maschler
Long and full letters about "Whale Nation" and a review by William Golding: "I was very touched at the thought of that ancient old man of the sea, 77, encrusted in laurels, deep in the heart of Truro, taking time off trundling about the countryside on a shire horse, to go in to the pieces in such detail, and give such wholesome feelings about it." Williams also writes about his own depression (1970-2): " . . . caused by staying in a cage of my own making, and feeling impotent." He recommends doing something with your hands: "They seem to magically conduct a small sense of achievement to the brain." He then discusses juggling. In excellent condition. Archive of typed letters signed to a publisher
Nine typed letters signed (13pp.) to the intending American publisher of his final book "Archilochos" - eventually published posthumously by Secker & Warburg in 1977. From the earliest letter: "Incidentally I am now working on drawings - intended for etchings - to illustrate a selection of the fragments of Archilochos . . . I wonder if the project might interest you. For the time being although Douglas Cleverdon would like to publish here, he cannot commit himself fully in the present state of the market." Together with: a draft contract for publication of the book; four-pp. typescript of the text to accompany the illustrations, of which there are studio photographs of 13 (of an eventual total of 16) which are annotated in pencil by Ayrton to the versos with the relevant portions of the text and detailed production notes; two typed letters signed (two pp.) by Douglas Cleverdon of Clover Hill Editions discussing the possibility of producing a fine press limited edition of the book. All these plans presumably went astray with Ayrton's untimely death later in 1975. Further details on request. Archive of typed letters signed to a publisher
An interesting correspondence, comprising five autograph letters (11pp.), one typed (2pp.) letter and two autograph postcards all signed, to a prospective publisher, around the time of the publication of her second collection "Instructions to the Double". She writes of her hectic academic and writing schedule and her failing marriage: "I'm surely on track for getting a divorce. It appears that my husband has been involved for some time with a married woman (3 kids) and now she will move in with him her." The following year, Gallagher began a relationship with Raymond Carver which culminated in their marrying six weeks before his death. Together with: 13pp. photocopy Ts. of some of the poems in "Instruction". Further details on request. Theatre Poster for “The Wesker Trilogy”
A striking poster (51 x 32 cms.) in the earl Royal Court style, advertising the first run of the plays as a trilogy (extended into August and September 1960 and comprising "Chicken Soup with Barley", "Roots" and "I'm Talking about Jerusalem"). Some edge-tears, small loss to lower left corner affecting printer's name, sometime folded, else in very good condition and unsurprisingly scarce. Name on front free endpaper, otherwise a very good copy in slightly sunned dustwrapper. The Garden to the Sea
First edition. Pencil shelf-mark from Ham Spray House library and ownership signature: "R[alph] & F[rances] Partridge" to front free endpaper. Frances Partridge and Toynbee maintained a life-long relationship (in the latter's case) after he ran off with the former's oldest friend, Julia Strachey. That affair didn't last long - the fact that he was, at 21, 15 years her junior and, as it turned out, bisexual were probably factors. A very good copy in dustwrapper. The History of North Tawton; together with its Antiquities and Curiosities
Plath's putative biographer Harriet Rosenstein's copy of the sole edition of a work of local history about the village where Plath and Hughes moved to with their children in August 1961. There is no mention of the Hughes family's residence in the village but there is a paragraph about their house, Court Green, which is referenced by Rosenstein on a 'Post-it' note to front blank. Also with her brief notes about Plath's driving and her horse riding lessons to final blank: "Nan Jenkins comments on SP's driving: didn't [?] - inexp'd. Ariel - already had [?] & old walking horse crash impossible at air strip. People [?] to learn to drive. Thanksgiving dinner." In excellent condition with insert listing services at St. Peter's Church for December 1973 laid-in. The Less Deceived
LARKIN, PHILIP Inscribed by Ann Thwaite, whose husband Anthony - Larkin's great friend and the editor of his letters - was one of the original subscribers listed at the rear. First edition, first issue - one of 300 copies bound from a total impression of 700 - this copy with a rounded spine. Barry Bloomfield was a very nice man and an excellent bibliographer but his description of this (A6) appears to contradict itself: he notes that "A later binding has no strip of stiffening mull inserted" - implying a flat, rather than a rounded spine - but also that "The early copies . . . are bound with flat spines". I have seen copies of the stated "second edition" (which is, in fact, the second issue of the first impression, being the 400 copies bound after the first 300 had been sold) with both flat and rounded spines. While I'm at it, another dubious point suggests that only the 120 `subscribers' copies' has the list of those individuals on pp. [44-45] at the rear - whereas it appears to be common to the whole impression of 700 copies. Dustwrapper deeply price-clipped and missing tiny chips from extremities of spine else a nice copy.- $985
- $985
A Passage to India
FORSTER, E.M. First edition - one of 200 numbered, large-paper copies signed by the author (Kirkpatrick A10). New endpapers, paper spine label chipped at edges (not affecting lettering) else a decent copy in slightly soiled and bowed boards (lacking the scarce slipcase) in quarter-leather solander box and priced accordingly.- $3,085
- $3,085
Autograph postcard signed
BETJEMAN, JOHN A short but remarkably succinct note to an old friend: "Ta ever so for your p.c. ARS LONGA VITA BREVIS &c. but the other's jolly nice i.e. "show business" which I'm in now rather than Eng.Lit. & I think it must have been for that. Love John B." Very light soiling but in nice condition.- $66
- $66
Postcard photograph
(LARKIN, PHILIP). THWAITE, ANTHONY A somewhat grainy image of the two poets seated outdoors, taken by Larkin (presumably using a shutter delay) at the University of East Anglia in 1972 and used for a correspondence postcard by the Philip Larkin Society. Thwaite, Larkin's life-long friend and literary executor, replies on the verso to an inquiry about a possible acquaintanceship of Larkin's. In fine condition.- $98
- $98
Original portrait photograph
RUSHDIE, SALMAN A superb, large-format silver print image of the saturnine author with his hands to his face, taken by Alistair Thain to accompany a piece by Philip Weis for the 1 January 1993 edition of `Esquire' magazine entitled "The Martyr". In fine condition with a clipped signature of the author pasted to verso.- $624
- $624
