Books

First edition, first impression, presentation copy, inscribed by the author to his sister in the month of its publication on the title page, "To Olwyn, with love from Ted, March 23rd 70". This is one of approximately eight copies that Sagar & Tabor record as being out of series. Otherwise the edition was limited to 100 copies, of which 26 copies were lettered A-Z and signed by the author. Hughes was very close to his sister Olwyn. After Plath's suicide in 1963 Olwyn helped to bring up their children, became her brother's literary agent, established the Rainbow Press with Ted in 1971 to produce fine press editions of his works, and remained devoted to him her entire life. This copy is from the library of Frieda Hughes, daughter of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath, though unmarked as such. Octavo, pp. 6. Original white wrappers, front wrappers lettered in black, stapled as issued. Wrappers lightly soiled. A near-fine copy. Sagar & Tabor A20.

A significant and ambitious work of poetry that combines a mythological character with raw, visceral imagery and themes.