Lot 227
Byron, George Gordon, Lord (1788-1824) Legendary British poet who was instrumental in creating the Romantic Movement; he died fighting for Greek independence.
Autograph manuscript, being four lines from his first major poem "Oscar of Alva," reading: "And Mora's eyes could Allen move/She bade his wounded pride rebel/Alas! that eyes which beamed with love/Should urge the soul to deeds of hell." Fine, with an interesting history, and two corrections, showing that this was his actual working manuscript. He originally began the second line with "Love," changing it to "She," and the next to last word in that line he changed to "Pride" from an indistinguishable original word. The piece is mounted to a larger sheet on which is written, "The above is Lord Byron's writing and is the 74th verse of the poem entitled 'Oscar of Alva,' published in his 'Hours of Idleness,' written when he was at Southwell and is a part of the Original M.S."
This is in the hand of Elizabeth Pigot, a longtime friend whose house Southwell was virtually Byron's adopted home, and with whom he exchanged verses and books. When he left her, they parted on close terms and continued to correspond. He gave her the manuscript of "Oscar of Alva" to transcribe for publication, and she later cut it up to give out. Only 14 of these cut slips of verses from this poem are known to exist, and many of them are in institutions. Manuscripts of Byron are of the greatest rarity. At the bottom of the page, Elizabeth has written out and signed her own poem in praise of Byron, beginning "Byron! I knew thee in thy early day, When yet thy Sun had scarcely shown a ray…."
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
The Arden Family Holdings of Beverly Hills.
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| Realized $2,880 |
