- 110
Plath, Sylvia.
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Her copy of: Millay, Edna St. Vincent. The King's Henchman: A Play in Three Acts. New York: Harper & Brothers Publisher, 1927
8vo, inscribed by sylvia plath's mother aurelia ("To my imaginative, artistic Sylvia"), with the author's bookplate (signed by her and dated 1950), also signed by Aurelia Plath in her maiden name on front endaper ("Aurelia F. Schober | August 27, 1927 | Camp Magna"), a few lines underlined in the text, original half black cloth, preserved in folding blue cloth box
The bookplate was probably added by Plath when she left for Smith College, in the same year. The significance of this association lies not only in Millay's work - although Plath considered her a poet and writer of the first rank - but also as an example of literary offerings made to Sylvia by her mother as a means of emotional and psychological bonding.
The bookplate was probably added by Plath when she left for Smith College, in the same year. The significance of this association lies not only in Millay's work - although Plath considered her a poet and writer of the first rank - but also as an example of literary offerings made to Sylvia by her mother as a means of emotional and psychological bonding.
Provenance
Sylvia Plath, inscription to her from her mother Aurelia
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Using figures like Millay, Aurelia Plath shaped her daughter's reading, and shared in it. Millay, whom they often read together (a particular touchstone for Sylvia was Millay's 1917 poem "Renascence") was, aside from her formative poetic interest, a central link in forging links between the thwarted literary ambitions of Aurelia Plath and those of her "imaginative, artistic, Sylvia".