[ROLFE, Frederick William (1860-1913)] - photo 1
[ROLFE, Frederick William (1860-1913)] - photo 2
[ROLFE, Frederick William (1860-1913)] - photo 3

[ROLFE, Frederick William (1860-1913)]

Lot 132
13.02.2025 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 5 040
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1362907
Lot 132 | [ROLFE, Frederick William (1860-1913)]
Estimate value
£ 4 000 – 6 000
[ROLFE, Frederick William (1860-1913)]
Tarcissus: The Boy Martyr of Rome, in the Diocletian Persecution A.D. CCCIII. [Saffron Walden: Arthur Boardman], 1880.
A fine copy of the extremely rare first edition of Rolfe’s first published book. The poem recounts the story of the young boy Tarcissus who was martyred in the third century, beaten to death by a crowd whilst carrying the blessed sacrements. 'The fact that it was a favourite (subject) of poetic pederasts in Rolfe's time invites speculation, especially in view of the fact that the subject matter of Rolfe's fiction was usually coloured by homosexuality' (Miriam J. Benkovitz, Frederick Rolfe: Baron Corvo, 1977, p.11). The number of copies printed is not known but A. J. A. Symons, Rolfe's biographer, states there were only fifty copies made, though the number of dedicatees (22) and the number of surviving copies would suggest a few more.

16mo (121 x 94mm). Original publishers grey card wrappers printed in black, title on front wrapper within double ruled border; near-contemporary red morocco backed folding case, itself in a modern red morocco backed case by Sangorski and Sutcliffe. Provenance: E.H. Mills (book-label on case) — Barry Humphries (1934-2023; bookplate).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
13.02.2025 – 13.02.2025
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
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ROLFE, Frederick William, styled Baron Corvo (1860–1913)
ROLFE, Frederick William, styled Baron Corvo (1860–1913)
£4 000

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