.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Poems, 1904, and two presentation typescripts of English translations, 1916-1917.
Details
CAVAFY, Constantine Peter (1863-1933)
Poems, 1904, and two presentation typescripts of English translations, 1916-1917.
Constantine Peter Cavafy (1863-1933). Poiēmata [Poems]. Alexandria: printed by Lagoudakis for the author, 1904 [1905].
[With:]
– John Cavafy (translator, 1861-1923). Two presentation typescript volumes of English translations of C. P. Cavafy’s poems, 1916-1917.
The exceptionally rare first edition of Cavafy’s first proper collection, together with two presentation volumes of early English translations by his brother John Cavafy.
Throughout his career Cavafy circulated his poems through a highly controlled, private network rather than conventional publication, typically printing individual poems that he handed or mailed to selected friends and correspondents. This tightly-curated literary web included his relative Emmanuel D. Zalichi, to whom the present volumes were originally gifted and in whose family they have remained. His early intimacy with Cavafy is evidenced by a letter from Emmanuel to the poet from June 1904, now at the Onassis Cavafy Archive, in which he expresses admiration for Cavafy’s poetry. Produced at the poet’s own expense in a small run of just 100 copies in early 1905, but with a title dated 1904, Poiēmata was his first attempt at a proper gathering of poems. As was his custom, it was intended for private distribution rather than commercial sale. It brings together fourteen poems including two of the most significant of Cavafy’s career – ‘Waiting for the Babarians’ and ‘Thermopylae’ – as ‘a sort of free sampler for those who might care to have a look at Cavafy’s creative effort to that point. Significantly, it was the poet rather than a publisher who decided exactly who was worthy of such a look—and he continued to so decide for decades thereafter’ (Keeley). It is exceptionally rare in libraries and on the market: RareBookHub records no copy at auction since 1988 and we are able to trace just two copies in institutions (Princeton and the Onassis Cavafy Archive).
Cavafy’s brother John was the first translator of his poetry. The present two volumes of translations, dated 1916 and 1917, therefore mark an important moment in the poet’s career, fulfilling Cavafy’s wish for his poetry to be rendered and read in English. He would go on to be studied and adored in the English-speaking world, his reputation boosted by the 1919 article in which E. M. Forster formally introduced Cavafy as a major poet. The Onassis Cavafy Archive holds similar examples of both volumes alongside some of John’s preparatory material, but they are otherwise unrecorded in institutions and we are unable to trace any such examples at auction. Consisting of a total of 58 typewritten poems and several manuscript corrections in the translator’s hand, the volumes are a significant if less-than-perfect precursor to the many accomplished translations which Cavafy’s poetry has inspired over the past century.
References: Edmund Keeley. ‘The Cavafy Rare Book Collection in Firestone Library.’ The Princeton University Library Chronicle, vol. 67, no. 1, (2005), pp.140–45; Approaches to Teaching the Works of C. P. Cavafy, ed. Jeffreys and Tryphonopoulos. Modern Language Association: 2025.
Together three volumes:
1. Poiēmata: octavo (210 x 135mm). Title and colophon printed in red. Contemporary burgundy half roan over purple cloth, spine lettered and ruled in gilt (extremities lightly rubbed, portion of lower spine detached but present).
2. 1916 volume: title, 6 contents pages, and 43 poems across 64 pages (251 x 180mm), with punctuation occasionally added in manuscript and with 4 corrections to the text in the translator’s hand. Contemporary burgundy roan, lettered in gilt on upper cover (extremities lightly rubbed, head of spine chipped).
3. 1917 volume: title, 2 contents pages, and 15 poems across 21 pages (236 x 186mm), with some punctuation in manuscript. Contemporary black roan, lettered in gilt on upper cover (extremities lightly rubbed).
Provenance: Emmanuel D. Zalichi (b. 1882; presentation inscriptions by John Cavafy in volumes 2 and 3, dated December 1916 and December 1917 respectively. Zalichi was the son of Cavafy’s aunt Romylia and an employee at the Calcutta branch of Ralli Bros in India, before later serving as the Greek Consul in Alexandria) – thence by descent.
Poems, 1904, and two presentation typescripts of English translations, 1916-1917.
Constantine Peter Cavafy (1863-1933). Poiēmata [Poems]. Alexandria: printed by Lagoudakis for the author, 1904 [1905].
[With:]
– John Cavafy (translator, 1861-1923). Two presentation typescript volumes of English translations of C. P. Cavafy’s poems, 1916-1917.
The exceptionally rare first edition of Cavafy’s first proper collection, together with two presentation volumes of early English translations by his brother John Cavafy.
Throughout his career Cavafy circulated his poems through a highly controlled, private network rather than conventional publication, typically printing individual poems that he handed or mailed to selected friends and correspondents. This tightly-curated literary web included his relative Emmanuel D. Zalichi, to whom the present volumes were originally gifted and in whose family they have remained. His early intimacy with Cavafy is evidenced by a letter from Emmanuel to the poet from June 1904, now at the Onassis Cavafy Archive, in which he expresses admiration for Cavafy’s poetry. Produced at the poet’s own expense in a small run of just 100 copies in early 1905, but with a title dated 1904, Poiēmata was his first attempt at a proper gathering of poems. As was his custom, it was intended for private distribution rather than commercial sale. It brings together fourteen poems including two of the most significant of Cavafy’s career – ‘Waiting for the Babarians’ and ‘Thermopylae’ – as ‘a sort of free sampler for those who might care to have a look at Cavafy’s creative effort to that point. Significantly, it was the poet rather than a publisher who decided exactly who was worthy of such a look—and he continued to so decide for decades thereafter’ (Keeley). It is exceptionally rare in libraries and on the market: RareBookHub records no copy at auction since 1988 and we are able to trace just two copies in institutions (Princeton and the Onassis Cavafy Archive).
Cavafy’s brother John was the first translator of his poetry. The present two volumes of translations, dated 1916 and 1917, therefore mark an important moment in the poet’s career, fulfilling Cavafy’s wish for his poetry to be rendered and read in English. He would go on to be studied and adored in the English-speaking world, his reputation boosted by the 1919 article in which E. M. Forster formally introduced Cavafy as a major poet. The Onassis Cavafy Archive holds similar examples of both volumes alongside some of John’s preparatory material, but they are otherwise unrecorded in institutions and we are unable to trace any such examples at auction. Consisting of a total of 58 typewritten poems and several manuscript corrections in the translator’s hand, the volumes are a significant if less-than-perfect precursor to the many accomplished translations which Cavafy’s poetry has inspired over the past century.
References: Edmund Keeley. ‘The Cavafy Rare Book Collection in Firestone Library.’ The Princeton University Library Chronicle, vol. 67, no. 1, (2005), pp.140–45; Approaches to Teaching the Works of C. P. Cavafy, ed. Jeffreys and Tryphonopoulos. Modern Language Association: 2025.
Together three volumes:
1. Poiēmata: octavo (210 x 135mm). Title and colophon printed in red. Contemporary burgundy half roan over purple cloth, spine lettered and ruled in gilt (extremities lightly rubbed, portion of lower spine detached but present).
2. 1916 volume: title, 6 contents pages, and 43 poems across 64 pages (251 x 180mm), with punctuation occasionally added in manuscript and with 4 corrections to the text in the translator’s hand. Contemporary burgundy roan, lettered in gilt on upper cover (extremities lightly rubbed, head of spine chipped).
3. 1917 volume: title, 2 contents pages, and 15 poems across 21 pages (236 x 186mm), with some punctuation in manuscript. Contemporary black roan, lettered in gilt on upper cover (extremities lightly rubbed).
Provenance: Emmanuel D. Zalichi (b. 1882; presentation inscriptions by John Cavafy in volumes 2 and 3, dated December 1916 and December 1917 respectively. Zalichi was the son of Cavafy’s aunt Romylia and an employee at the Calcutta branch of Ralli Bros in India, before later serving as the Greek Consul in Alexandria) – thence by descent.
Brought to you by
Eugenio Donadoni
Senior Specialist, Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts