Lot 131
- 131
Joyce, James
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Joyce, James
- Exiles. A Play in Three Acts. Grant Richards Ltd, 1918
- PAPER
8vo, first edition, presentation copy inscribed by the author ("To | Muriel [surname erased] | James Joyce | Paris | 27 - II - [1]921") on front free endpaper, original cloth backed boards with paper labels on spine and upper cover, collector's box with morocco spine, surname of recipient erased, some browning and spotting, binding very slightly worn at extremities, minor loss to spine label
Literature
Slocum and Cahoon 14
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the catalouging, 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."
"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
The recipient of this copy is likely to be Muriel Ciolkovska, a Paris journalist. In November 1915 Joyce wrote to Harriet Shaw Weaver with reference to A Portrait of the Artist and publication in The Egoist.
Joyce noted that "as it seems very difficult to persuade London publishers to bring out my novel... my agent, Mr Pinker, intends to try some firms in Paris... Possibly the Paris correspondent of your paper, Mrs. [Muriel] Ciolkovska, may be able and willing to help me in this matter: I mean in bringing the book under the notice of one of these firms. I think I received some letters from her or through her when I was still in Austria... I shall write if you will be so kind as to give me her address..." (see Letters of James Joyce, Vol. II, ed. Richard Ellmann, London, 1966, p.369).
Joyce noted that "as it seems very difficult to persuade London publishers to bring out my novel... my agent, Mr Pinker, intends to try some firms in Paris... Possibly the Paris correspondent of your paper, Mrs. [Muriel] Ciolkovska, may be able and willing to help me in this matter: I mean in bringing the book under the notice of one of these firms. I think I received some letters from her or through her when I was still in Austria... I shall write if you will be so kind as to give me her address..." (see Letters of James Joyce, Vol. II, ed. Richard Ellmann, London, 1966, p.369).
Publication of Joyce's three act play was on 25 May 1918. This copy is therefore inscribed just under three years after publication. The Egoist published a second edition in 1921 and this date may be significant in linking the play to The Egoist and Muriel Ciolkovska.