Borges, Jorge Luis

including editions of El Aleph (2 copies of the first edition 1949, 1952, 1966, 1967), Poemas 1923-1953 (1954, lacking wrappers and with library stamp), Obra poética 1923-1966 (1966), Obra poética 1923-1967 (1967, 4 copies, ONE INSCRIBED BY BORGES TO DI GIOVANNI, one signed by his wife Elsa Borges, one lacking all after p.125), Ficciones (1956, 1966 & 1967), Otras inquisiciones (1966 SIGNED BY BORGES), Historia universal de la infamia (first edition 1935, 1966 & 1969), Historia de la eternidad (1966), Discusión (1966), Evaristo Carriego (1965), El hacedor (1967, 2 copies), El libro de arena (1975), Cronica de Bustos Domecq (1968, inscribed by his wife Elsa), El libro de los seres imaginarios (4to, 1967), El informe de Brodie (1970, 4 copies, one with red belly band), Nueva antología personal (1968), Manual de zoología fantástica (1966 SIGNED BY BORGES)

mostly 8vo, in original printed wrappers, some with inscriptions by Di Giovanni and most with his working notes for his translations, a few volumes slightly worn

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

THE ANNOTATED WORKING COPIES OF BORGES'S FIRST TRANSLATOR INTO ENGLISH. These copies of various original editions of Borges's works were used by Norman Thomas di Giovanni whilst working with the author himself on translating his works into English from 1967 onwards. 

This and the following four lots are from the library of the Italian-American writer Norman Thomas di Giovanni (1933 – 2017), Jorge Luis Borges’ first (and arguably best) translator into English. After meeting Borges at Harvard in 1967 the two became friends, leading to collaboration on the English translation of the Argentinian author’s Selected Poems 1923-1967. The following year they travelled together to Buenos Aires, collaborating on translations of Borges’ short stories. The partnership resulted in an equal share of the royalties being awarded to di Giovanni, at Borges’s insistence. After 1986 the estate sold rights for new translations, with the result that di Giovanni’s earlier versions, conducted in collaboration with Borges, fell out of print in most parts of the world, and are now very rare on the market.