This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2022
CHANDLER, Raymond (1888–1959). Typed manuscript (“Untitled Poem”), 16 January 1955. Large 8vo (254 x 203 mm), small closed tear at corner. Chandler writes of the “moment after death” and all that remains are the letters left behind that “will not die”. Chandler, whose wife, Cissy Pascal died on 12 December 1954, is possibly still in mourning as he writes about love and death. Chandler would soon fall into despondency and alcoholism after her death, once attempting suicide in 1955. Originally titled “Requiem” and submitted to the Atlantic Monthly in 1957 but was never published. Provenance: H.N. Swanson, Chandler’s literary agent (rubberstamp at lower margin). Chandler manuscripts are extremely elusive, and his poems even more so with none ever appearing for sale at auction. See Bruccoli, Chandler Before Marlowe pp. XVII and 99.