L12402

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Lot 274
  • 274

Celan, Paul.

Estimate
2,500 - 3,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Collection of eight poems in Celan's typescript, containing numerous apparently autograph entries, together with a first edition of his translation of Valéry's La Jeune Parque, signed and inscribed
  • paper and ink
the poems being "Auf Reisen", "Landschaft", "Der Tauben weißeste flog auf", "Das ganze Leben", "Wasser und Feuer", "Kristall", "Die Jahre von dir zu mir" and "Sie kämmte ihr Haar", the typescripts containing a large number of apparently autograph entries, chiefly letters missing from the typed text due to the faulty striking action of Celan's typewriter (principally the letters 'A' and 'a'), one word cancelled in "Wasser und Feuer", 6 pages, 4to (c.27 x 20.8cm), carbon typescripts, no place or date [Paris, c.1952-1954], light browning, a few very small marks and stains, central horizontal fold, a few corners creased--with Paul Valéry, Die Junge Parze Ins Deutsche übertragen von Paul Celan, Wiesbaden: Insel-Verlag, 1960, inscribed by Celan with a quotation from Valéry's lyric on the front free endpapers, 34 pages, large 4to (33 x 21cm)

Literature

Paul Celan Werke. Historisch-Kritische Ausgabe, I. Abtheilung/Band 2,2/3,2 (Frankfurt, 2003), pp. 185ff. ("Die Jahre von dir zu mir": source H1a), 189ff. ("Das ganze Leben": source H5*), 205ff. ("Auf Reisen": source H2*), 221 ("Kristall": source H1d), 255 ("Landschaft": source H1c), 237ff. ("Der Tauben weißeste": source H2), 250ff. ("Sie kämmt ihr Haar": source H2*) and 258ff. ("Wasser und Feuer": source H2

Condition

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."

Catalogue Note

All the poems in this collection of corrected typescripts were published in the volume that made the poet's reputation in Germany, Mohn und Gedächtnis (1952), although six of them had appeared in print before:  "Das ganze Leben" (Plan, ii, 1948); "Die Jahre von dir zu mir" und "Auf Reisen" (Der Sand der Urnen, September 1948); "Kristall" (Surrealistische Publikationen, April 1950); "Wasser und Feuer" and "Sie kämmt ihr Haar" (Das Lot, June 1952). The manuscripts diverge in a number of points from the edition of the relevant poems in the historical-critical edition of Celan's works (for example, line 11 of "Wasser und Feuer" here has 'der Wind fuellt den Becher' instead of '...füllt die Becher', and "Auf Reisen" here bears a dedication - 'Fuer Erich Fried').