Modern Literature and Its Authors from Ken Lopez Bookseller
- by Michael Stillman
E. E.Cummings' anatomical sketchbook.
Item 17 is the Chronicles of Bustos Domecq, published in 1976, a first American edition. This is a collection of essays that were attributed to H. Bustos Domecq, except there was no such person. It was the team of the noted Argentine author, Jorge Luis Borges, and another celebrated Argentine writer, Adolfo Bioy Casares. They generally used the pseudonym for comedic collaborations, which take on their own personality separate from the two authors. $750.
Item 31 is an undated Anatomical Sketchbook by E. E. Cummings. Cummings is known as one of the preeminent poets of the 20th century, along with being a novelist and playwright. He is not well remembered for his artwork, though early in his career, it was as important as his writing. Cummings spoke of art and writing as his “twin obsessions.” This sketchbook shows Cummings practicing his drawing, focused on the human anatomy, female in particular. Cummings exhibited his art at several international shows and published some of it, but by the 1930's he was only drawing for private use any longer. Lopez notes that there were 1,600 pieces of art in his estate when he died. $12,000.
