Presented to him in the years 1951-75, they are titled for the Knave of Spades, King of Diamonds and other picture cards. Yates later had 54 copies of these poems privately printed, most of which were offered in this auction, either singly or in larger groups. Around £50 a copy seemed to be the going rate, but not all found buyers.
The illustration, right, shows the original poems and inscribed presentation firsts of his works that Hughes gave to Yates. The copy of Selected Poems 1957-1967, a birthday gift inscribed “To Ron, Many Happy returns. And when they’re done, Start again at One, from Carol and Ted, February 1974, Ron’s lucky year” was sold for £1000 and the copy of Crow, inscribed “To Ron Xmas 1972, Love and Money cannot be hidden – But the itch beats them hollow. Confucius: Analects VI.211, from your old (older) and older (younger) and older (older) (Younger) friends Ted & Carol” was bid to £550. Both books have dust jackets designed by the poet’s friend and regular illustratort, Leonard Baskin.
Poems from a famous neighbour
Sold at £5500 in a general antiques sale held by Michael J. Bowman of Newton Abbot on March 13 was a group of six manuscript poems written by Ted Hughes for his neighbour Ronald Yates.
