Lot 180
[THE LITTLE REVIEW]. ANDERSON, Margaret, editor. POUND, Ezra, editor. HEAP, Jane, editor. The Little Review. Vol. I, No. 1 through Vol. XII, No. 2. Chicago, New York, and Paris: 1914-1929.
Estimate
$3,000 - $4,000

Sold for $11,875

Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[THE LITTLE REVIEW]. ANDERSON, Margaret, editor. POUND, Ezra, editor. HEAP, Jane, editor. The Little Review. Vol. I, No. 1 through Vol. XII, No. 2. Chicago, New York, and Paris: 1914-1929.

Together, 81 of 82 numbers (lacking supplement to Vol. XII, No. 1), plus one duplicate number (Vol. VI, No. 4), various 8vo and 4to sizes. Illustrated throughout. (Variously worn with browning and some light marginal chipping to a few numbers, but overall a very nice set). All in original publisher's printed wrappers (a few numbers with light chipping and occasional losses); housed in 7 cloth slipcases.
 
 A VIRTUALLY COMPLETE RUN OF ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PUBLICATIONS OF ITS TIME
 
 Margaret Anderson founded The Little Review in Chicago in 1914. Anderson, and co-editor Jane Heap, published works by a number of transatlantic modernists, cultivating early examples of experimental writing and art, and including early examples of surrealist artwork and Dadaism in later issues.  Throughout its run, The Little Review included work by Sherwood Anderson, Hart Crane, Hilda Doolittle, T. S. Eliot, Emma Goldman, James Joyce, Amy Lowell, Mina Loy, Gertrude Stein, and William Carlos Williams, and art by Hans Arp, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Ferdinand Léger, Pablo Picasso and Joseph Stella.

INCLUDING THE FIRST PRINTED PORTION OF JAMES JOYCE'S ULYSSES
 
 Ezra Pound, the journal's "foreign correspondent," was instrumental in convincing Anderson and Heap to serialize Ulysses.  Ultimately, they ran 23 installments covering the narrative from the "Telemachus" episode (chapter 1, March 1918) through the first portion of "Oxen in the Sun" (chapter 14; September-December 1920). Once Ulysses began to attract attention, distribution of the periodical became difficult, and the U. S. Post Office began seizing issues on the grounds of obscenity in January 1919 (that issue present in this set). Issues in May 1919, January 1920, and July-August 1920 (all present in this set) were also seized, and in September of 1920, an official complaint was lodged with the New York Court of Special Sessions.  Anderson and Heap ultimately lost at trial, and were fined 50 dollars each.

The September-December 1920 issue, bound in black wrappers (in mourning?), includes commentary from both Heap ("Art and the Law") and Anderson ("An Obvious Statement (for the millionth time)"): "Mr. Sumner is operating in realms in which it can be proved that he cannot function intelligently... James Joyce has never writen [sic] anything, and will never be able to write anything, that is not beautiful." Subsequent issues include commentary on the censorship and publication of Ulysses. After it was announced that Shakespeare and Company would published Ulysses in book form, Jane Heap concludes the Autumn 1921 issue with a brief note: "before we could revive from our trial for Joyce's 'Ulysses' it was announced for publication in book form. We limp from the field."

COMPLETE SETS ARE VERY RARE ON THE MARKET: Only one nearly-complete run of The Little Review has appeared at auction in the last 40 years (sold Sotheby's New York, 1977). 

Property from the Estate of Lucia von Borisini Batten, Sold to Benefit the Albuquerque Museum Foundation
Condition Report

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Hindman.

Please email conditionreports@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.