ID 1362961
Lot 126 | RAFFALOVICH, Marc André (1864-1934)
Estimate value
£ 3 000 – 5 000
Cyril and Lionel and other Poems: a volume of sentimental studies. Kegan Paul, Trench & co., 1884.
Presentation copy of the first edition of Raffalovich’s first collection of poetry. Raffalovich was a poet, patron of the arts, and scholar on homosexuality. He moved to London from France 1882 at the age of 18, with the intention of studying at the University of Oxford, in the company of his governess Miss Florence Gribbell who became a lifelong friend of the family. It is possible that the presentation inscription is made to her or a relative of hers. He founded literary salons in both London and Edinburgh, which attracted writers including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, Lady Margaret Sackville, Max Beerbohm; though Wilde would later mock it as a 'saloon'. Raffalovich met the poet John Gray in his London salon, and he would become his lifelong partner. The work contains several poems which concern and defend homosexual love, including ’To one of my Readers’.
Octavo (174 x 117mm). 39pp. catalogue at end, black endpapers. Original green publisher’s cloth, ruled in black above and below, title lettered in gilt (corners, head and tail of spine very slightly rubbed). Provenance: inscribed on verso on half title: 'Mrs William Gribbell from the author' — Barry Humphries (1934-2023; bookplate).
| Artist: | Mark André Raffalovich (1864 - 1934) |
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| Auction house category: | Books, Books and manuscripts |
| Artist: | Mark André Raffalovich (1864 - 1934) |
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| Auction house category: | Books, Books and manuscripts |
| Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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