Lessing, Doris

8 pages (size varies, the largest 10 x 8 in.; 260 x 203mm), Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, 23 February 1949 and 16 May 1956, and London, 31 December 1949; some scattered browning, vertical and horizontal folds, some paper loss at the lower vertical fold of the London letter with loss to two words, notations by the receipient in margins.

Condition as described in catalogue entry.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Doris Lessing writes a farewell letter to a Rhodesian friend as she prepares to leave Africa.  These letters were written by Lessing, who signed herself "Tigger" after the A. A. Milne character, to her friend Joyce Oliver ("Lofty").  The first letter, written on N. B. Publications (Salisbury) letterhead, begins, "Here it is the last day I grace this glorious country, & I am saying a fond farewell & also giving you a hell of a raspberry on the instructions of Dorothy."  She then explains the printing and publishing matters which are causing problems.  She goes on to mention her husband Gottfried Lessing, later an East German diplomat murdered in Uganda.

The second letter, six pages long and written New Year's Eve of the same year, describes her new life in London.  She explains why she hasn't written, "… imagine me sitting in front of a typewriter for hours every day, & getting up in the evening without a word left in me."  "As for me, since I came to England life has been hard, tho' interesting.  I live on the smell of an oil rag & work.  For recreation I go to the theatre & to picture galleries." Her first book is being published and she has completed the first draft of her second. Of her young son Peter, she writes, "He is tall & heavy for his age, & not intelligent.  He goes to a Council nursery school round the corner for which I pay 6/- a week.  Charity, & they make you feel it …." 

The third letter, seeking to arrange a meeting with "Lofty," is written from Salisbury during Lessing's 1956 visit home.  After this visit, Lessing was banned from Rhodesia and South Africa for many years owing to her opposition to aparthied.

The letters are accompanied by an American edition of The Four Gated City (showing wear), inscribed by "Das Tigger (D. Lessing)" for Lofty on 4 September 1969, and a snapshot of Lessing, captioned "London, Xmas 1969" on the verso.