Ted Hughes as an illustrator

Hughes, Ted, British poet (1930-1998). Autograph letter signed ("Ted") and four drawings by Hughes.

€ 6,500.00

To his friend Nicholas Airth Grant (1931-2018), chairman of the Duncan Lawrie private bank, explaining that there are ultimately only four drawings, namely those enclosed, since "two or three others […] weren't getting anywhere" for the illustration of his contribution to the first issue of The Duncan Lawrie Journal: "I'm afraid there are only four. Two or three others I tried weren't getting anywhere so rather than delay - here are four, which I quite like. The candlestick. The wolf spitting flames. God clasping his head (Carol's not sure about this). And the bat. They could be shrunk a bit. We got four salmon on the Tweed - very stiff week, bright blue days, few fish".

Hughes's short story offers a fantastical creation myth for the bat, set in God's workshop that is charmingly illustrated with the four quite skillful, slightly surreal drawings.