J O N K E R S R A R E B O O K S
92. The Colossus And Other Poems PLATH, Sylvia
Heinemann, 1960. First edition. Publisher’s green cloth in original white printed dust- wrapper. Ownership inscription of Roy Fuller to front free endpaper. A bright, fine copy, in a very good dustwrapper indeed, the spine a little toned as usual, but crisp. [44170] £5,000 Plath’s first collection of poetry, the only one published in her lifetime. In a letter to her mother of March 1960 Plath reports meeting Roy Fuller, Elizabeth Jennings and Christine Brooke-Rose at a London Magazine party, noting “I must get them all in my diary”. The following year Fuller wrote a positive review of The Colossus for The London Magazine, saying “The language of this poetry is unusual but not eccentric, with a great gift for the right epithet, the metaphoric noun”. Tabor A2 PROVENANCE: From the library of English poet, Roy Fuller (1912-1991) with his ownership sig- nature to the front endpaper.
THE DEDICATION COPY
93. Meet My Folks HUGHES, Ted
Faber, 1961. First edition. Original illustrated paper covered boards in matching picto- rial dustwrapper. The dedication copy, inscribed prior to publication to the Hughes and Sylvia Plath’s daughter Frieda, “To Frieda, on her first birthday from Da, with love April 1st, 1961.” Eight full page illustrations in line by George Adamson. A near fine copy, with a trace of wear to the bottom edge in a very good dustwrapper in with light wear to the extremities ad spotting to the rear panel. [44516] £7,500 The dedication copy of Hughes’ first collection of children’s verse and third collection of verse overall (the first two being dedicated to Sylvia). The verses were composed around the time Sylvia Plath was expecting their first child, Frieda, which is unlikely to be a coincidence and the book is appropriately dedicated to her, with publication conveniently coming at the time of her
first birthday. George Adamson’s finely drawn line illustrations are alive with the whimsical comedy of the poems, and both Hughes and Plath were delighted with them, writing to the artist “We were pleased beyond our dreams at your illustrations of Meet My Folks [sic]—they were absolutely right”. PROVENANCE: Frieda Hughes, gift inscription from her father Ted Hughes.
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