Lot 370

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Description:

Dylan Thomas ALS Mentioning His Beloved Laugharne, A Coastal Village in South Wales

A 1p autograph letter signed by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (1914-1953), as "Dylan Thomas" near center right. Written at Thomas's home Seaview, in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, South Wales, on May 15, 1939 on blue-lined notebook paper. The letter is displayed to the right of a high-quality photo reproduction portrait depicting the poet clasping his hands. Both the letter and the image are matted in floating mounts and framed behind glass in a rosewood finished frame. The letter shows expected wear including light toning and isolated rust spots near the top. A small closed tear is located along the horizontal transmittal fold. Else near fine. Not examined out of the frame. The actual size of the letter is 7.375" x 10" while the piece is framed overall to 22.125" x 17" x 1." Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA Authentication Services (Newport Beach, California), and a Certificate of Authenticity from R&R Enterprises Autograph Auctions (Amherst, New Hampshire.)

Thomas wrote this letter to an unidentified man who had been inquiring about Thomas's work. Thomas, who had been writing since he dropped out of high school at age 16, had first been recognized by the literary establishment in 1934, with the publication of his poem, "Light breaks where no sun shines." Just a few months after writing this letter, on August 24, 1939, Thomas would publish "Map of Love," a collection of prose and poetry. Thomas enjoyed substantial celebrity during his lifetime, and of course, his premature death only expanded his cult following. Yet despite his success, the tone of Thomas's letter is quite self-effacing.

Thomas wrote in part:

"Returning your information sheet. Long delay because I couldn't find a photograph or get one taken. Sorry my answers are so unhelpful. I just live in this small town on the coast + write as much as I can…"

In 1936, Thomas had first visited Laugharne, a small village in South Wales about 40 miles northwest of Swansea by car. He and his wife Caitlin Macnamara moved to Laugharne in early 1938 and stayed in several places in town, including Seaview, until they left to escape tradesman's debts in July 1940. Thomas described Laugharne elsewhere as an out-of-the-way place, unspoiled by tourists or artists, "a good place…It's a sociable place too…with good pubs and little law." Laugharne provided the basis for the fictional town of Llareggub featured in Thomas's play "Under Milk Wood." After Thomas's sudden death at age 39 while traveling abroad in the United States, his body was brought back to Wales and he was buried in St. Martin's churchyard in Laugharne.

One of the poet's Laugharne residences was at Seaview, a five-bedroom mid-nineteenth-century Georgian style house on Market Street, situated just below Laugharne Castle and overlooking the River Taf. Thomas's widow Caitlin recalls their time at Seaview as some of the happiest of their marriage. Thomas entertained famous visitors at Seaview, such as Arthur Miller and T.S. Eliot.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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May 4, 2022 10:30 AM EDT
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