Eliot, T.S.

The New English Weekly Easter Number, 1940 (Supplement) East Coker. The New English Weekly, before 23 May 1940], 4pp., unbound (324 x 227mm.), presentation copy inscribed by the author to Anne Ridler ("for Anne Ridler | with the author's compliments. | T.S. Eliot | Easter 1940"), fold at centre, very slightly browned with some tiny stains and marks, still a near fine copy ; Little Gidding [in] The New English Weekly & The New Age...Vol. XXI., No.26, 15 October 1942, one pencil correction to the text of Eliot's poem (probably autograph), presentation copy inscribed by the author to Anne Ridler ("Mrs. Ridler. | Hoping that | Little Gidding is not | too far from | Little Gaddesden | TSE"), stapled pamphlet, fold at centre, some tiny rust marks otherwise fine; together with an autograph postcard signed by Eliot to Anne Ridler (from Faber & Faber, inviting her and her husband Vivian to tea the following Tuesday, postmarked 16 June 1944), and a Christmas card to the Ridlers from Eliot and his wife Valerie, signed by Eliot "Tom"; all four items preserved in black and cloth folders

Gallup A36; C481

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."

Fine presentation copies of two of Eliot's seminal "Four Quartets", inscribed to his friend and former secretary. The reference to Little Gaddesden is to the Ridlers' home village in Hertfordshire, where they were married in July 1938 (it is actually around 59 miles from here to the church of Little Gidding).  East Coker first appeared in New English Weekly on 21 March 1940, and Gallup records that this first edition in the form of a supplement appeared "after the edition of the complete issue...had been exhausted shortly before 23 May 1940; number of copies unknown...". Unless Gallup is mistaken, and copies of the first separate publication were available earlier, the present copy is therefore an advance presentation copy.

Anne Ridler, who herself went on to become an accomplished and prolific poet, became Eliot's assistant at Faber & Faber in 1935, helping him with The Criterion, and reading submitted manuscripts (something she continued to do long after leaving the firm in 1940). Eliot encouraged her in her writing, and Faber began publishing her in 1941 with A Dream Observed.