This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/20/2022
CHANDLER, Raymond (1888–1959). Typed manuscript (“Improvisation on an Ancient Theme”), 28 May 1955. Large 8vo (254 x 203 mm), some edgewear at corner. Chandler’s poem describes an intimate night with a loved one by the sea: “The tide flowed bitter and strong, against the high hard cliffs of desire, and broke with a shattering cry. And suddenly we were one with the sea”. 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. Provenance: H.N. Swanson, Chandler’s literary agent (rubberstamp at lower margin). Not in Bruccoli’s Chandler Before Marlowe and is probably unpublished. Chandler manuscripts are extremely elusive, and his poems even more so with none ever appearing for sale at auction.