Joyce, James

large 4to (318 x 257mm.), NUMBER 36 OF 176 COPIES ON HANDMADE PAPER, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR TO EUGENE AND MARIA JOLAS ("To | his kind editors | Eugene & Maria Jolas | from | James Joyce | Paris | 3rd March 1938") on initial blank, illuminated capital letter by Lucia Joyce, marginal commentaries in red and black, contemporary three-quarter red morocco by Bellevallee, lettered in gilt on spine, decorated red paper covered boards and endpapers, original flexible orange vellum covers and spine bound in, top edge gilt, others untrimmed, collector's quarter red morocco solander box

Slocum & Cahoon A46

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."

A MAJOR PRESENTATION COPY TO THE 'GODPARENTS' OF FINNEGANS WAKE.

The American ex-pat couple Eugene and Maria Jolas had founded the literary journal transition in Paris in 1927, with the first fifteen issues dominated by Joyce's work. Eugene Jolas was a fervent supporter of Joyce in his critical writings and transition provided a key publishing outlet during the protracted creation of the "Work in Progress" which ultimately became Finnegans Wake (Eugene was the first to correctly guess the official title in 1936, when Joyce offered a thousand francs to the first in his close circle who could do so). Maria Jolas was intimately involved with the editing of the constantly developing text, and has been linked with one of the characters in the novel. Between them, the Jolases provided an absolutely pivotal role in the creation of the author's great modernist experiment.

By the time of this inscription Joyce's circumstances had become more difficult, with money worries, the increasing loss of his sight, and the desperate plight of his daughter Lucia, who provides the illuminated capital letter here (see also lots 76 and 77).