Mark Gerson's literary photographs to auction in London

During his career, 91-year-old British photographer Mark Gerson snapped the leading literary giants of the 20th century. On May 8, a number of his photographs are to grace the block at Bonhams London, including a rare group shot of poets WH Auden, Ted Hughes, TS Eliot, Stephen Spender and Louis MacNeice, pictured together at a Faber party in 1961.

Mark Gerson photo auction
Stephen Spender, TS Eliot, Ted Hughes, WH Auden and Louis MacNeice at a Faber party in 1961

The photograph is estimated to be worth £3,000-3,500 ($4,533-5,290), as it represents the only time these leading literary lights were photographed as a group.

The photographs are offered from The Roy Davis Collection, an extensive archive of poetical manuscripts, literary ephemera and art work. The collection is to be bisected by Bonhams, and offered over two dates (April 10 and May 8).

Works in oil by living British artist Peter Edwards are to feature at Bonhams London on April 10, with a striking painting of Ted Hughes - British nature poet and one-time husband of Sylvia Plath - thought to be worth £6,000-8,000 ($9,067-12,089), and a portrait of current poet laureate, Carol Anne Duffy, valued at £3,000-4,000 ($4,533-6,045).

We have this Alan Ginsberg handwritten note currently in stock.

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