DOWSON, Ernest (1867-1900)

Lot 103
13.02.2025 10:00UTC +00:00
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£ 8 190
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1362912
Lot 103 | DOWSON, Ernest (1867-1900)
Estimate value
£ 3 000 – 5 000
DOWSON, Ernest (1867-1900)
Verses. London: Leonard Smithers, 1896.
First edition, inscribed by Dowson to fellow author Reginald Turner: one of three hundred copies on handmade paper. Verses is Dowson's first collection of poetry, containing his most famous lines: 'They are not long, the days of wine and roses' from 'Vitae Summa Brevis'. Dowson's life was tragic. In 1894 his father died, and his mother committed suicide six months later. Dowson himself was consumptive, alcoholic, and debt-ridden. He died of tuberculosis at the age of 32. One of the fin-de-siècle decadents, Dowson wrote fragile, sensuous poetry voicing regret for the passing of youth and beauty, the denial of love, and the rejection of pleasure. Reginald Turner was the author of twelve novels, an aesthete and a member of the circle of Oscar Wilde, perhaps now best remembered as one of the few friends who remained loyal to Wilde when he was imprisoned, and who supported him after his release.

Small quarto (192 x 145mm). Title printed in red and black (very minor spotting on end-leaves). Publisher’s Japanese vellum, gilt to a design by Aubrey Beardsley (spine a little darkened, sides very slightly soiled). Provenance: Reginald Turner (1869-1938; authorial inscription on endpaper: 'Jan 27th 1899. To Reginald Turner from Ernest Dowson') — Barry Humphries (1934-2023; bookplate).
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