Letters from Lord Byron to a Good Mind

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

We are told that he was the greatest English poet. This glory must necessarily qualify an uncommon temperament.

In 1885 at Sotheby's, the Earl of Rosebery bought a correspondence sent by Byron to Francis Hodgson. These documents reappear in the same auction house in London on October 29.

The young men had met in 1807 during literary discussions. Francis was attracted to religion and Byron by the discovery of the world and all its infamy. The letters date from 1808 to 1821, totaling 71 pages, and thus cover the entire period of the trips of sexual discovery and of the access to literary fame.

Byron tackles all moral, social, political and literary subjects with his friend. Because of their different approaches to life, he does not hesitate to push his arguments to extremes, at risk or for the delight of shocking, which provides the set with an exceptional interest for understanding the Byronic thought .

Contemptuous up to misanthropy, cynic, Byron looks for his way. He found it in his commitment to the freedom symbolized by the war of Greek independence. There he died.

It is difficult to predict the price of such a lot. Sotheby's expects 150 K£.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Exceptional lots still find buyers, and will always have buyers. 277 K £ including premium for this series of autograph letters of Byron.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Here is a photo of that lot, shared post sale by Artdaily.