ID 1362856
Lot 128 | RAFFALOVICH, Marc André (1864-1934)
Estimate value
£ 2 000 – 3 000
It is Thyself. London: Walter Scott, 1889.
Extremely rare first edition of the third collection of poems by Raffalovich: a remarkable presentation copy inscribed to the novelist George Moore. The work contains several poems which concern and defend homosexual love, including ‘Sonnet CXX’. The presentation inscription is to George Moore, the Irish novelist, short-story writer, poet, art critic, memoirist and dramatist, whose work also invited controversy over its overt depiction of sexuality. Raffalovich and Moore were part of a group of writers who met at Arthur Symons’s rooms at Fountain Court in the temple; a gathering place for those who made art, and those who talked about it. W.B. Yeats and Ernest Dowson were frequent guests, and Oscar Wilde also visited.
Octavo (194 x 130mm). Title printed in red and black. Publisher's dramatic yellow and black cloth over beveled boards, title and author gilt on upper side and spine, untrimmed (gilt lettering worn on spine, minor soiling); modern black and yellow morocco folding case by Sangorski and Sutcliffe reproducing the design of the book. Provenance: George Moore (1852-1933; authorial presentation: 'George Moore from André Raffalovich') — Stanley Scott (book-label on rear pastedown) — Barry Humphries (1934-2023; bookplate).
| Artist: | Mark André Raffalovich (1864 - 1934) |
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| Auction house category: | Books and manuscripts, Printed books |
| Artist: | Mark André Raffalovich (1864 - 1934) |
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| Auction house category: | Books and manuscripts, Printed books |
| Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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| Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
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| Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |













