Woolf, Virginia.

8vo, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author in month of publication to the artist, her friend Gwen Raverat ("Gwen | from | Virginia | Oct. 1928"), portrait frontispiece, original orange cloth, some slight foxing, spine slightly sunned; together with: Jacob's Room. The Hogarth Press, 1922, first edition, Gwen Raverat's ownership signature, advertisement leaves at the end, original orange cloth, binding worn; Monday or Tuesday. The Hogarth Press, 1921, first edition, one of 1,000 copies, woodcuts by Vanessa Bell, with Gwen Raverat's ownership signature, original cloth-backed decorative boards; 8vo (3)



 

Gwen Raverat, presentation inscription to her, and her ownership signatures; thence by descent

Orlando: Kirkpatrick A11b; Woolmer 185--Jacob's Room: Kirkpatrick A6a; Woolmer 26--Monday or Tuesday: Kirkpatrick A5a; Woolmer 17

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."

"...it is your love that has forever been love to me...the vision has become to me a source of wonder--the vision of your face; which if I were painting I should cover with flames, and put you on a hill top...I don't think you would believe how it moves me that you and Jacques should have been reading Mrs. Dalloway, and liking it..." (letter by Virginia Woolf to Gwen Raverat, after Jacques Raverat's early death in November 1925, Letters, volume 3, pp.171-2)

A very rare inscribed copy of "Orlando": a fine presentation copy by the author to a fellow Bloomsbury artist, her close friend Gwen Raverat (née Darwin). Orlando was published on 11 October 1928

Virginia Woolf and Gwen Raverat had known each other as young women: Virginia's father, Leslie Stephen, and Gwen's, Sir George Darwin, were both members of the British intelligentsia and also good friends. Virginia would visit the Darwin home, Newnham Grange, when in Cambridge to see her brother Thoby, who was up at Trinity. Virginia became extremely fond of Gwen's future husband, the French painter Jacques Raverat, and appears to have been involved in trying to break off the engagement "by indiscretions" : there was a typical love triangle involving Gwen, Jacques and Katherine Cox (see the Letters, volume 1, p.465). Nonetheless Gwen and Jacques were married on 27 May 1911, and lived happily in France until Jacques' tragically early death from multiple sclerosis in 1925.  Virginia had sent Jacques the proofs of Mrs Dalloway (he responded with a long letter), and continued a very intimate correspondence with him up until his death; immediately afterwards she wrote extraordinarily movingly and honestly to Gwen of her feelings for them both. In 2004 Gwen's grandson William Pryor edited  the complete correspondence between Gwen, Jacques and Virginia under the title Virginia Woolf and the Raverats.

"...the best of these Darwins is that they are cut out of the rock, and three taps is enough to convince one how immense is their solidity..." (Virginia Woolf, on seeing Gwen Raverat (née Darwin) again in November 1924, Letters, volume 3, p.144)