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Rare Woolf Edition for Housekeeper Surfaces
15 Mar
Summary
- A signed first edition of Orlando, gifted to Nellie Boxall, is up for auction.
- The book features an inscription from Virginia Woolf dated October 11, 1928.
- The collection, including photos, is expected to fetch up to £2,000.
A significant piece of literary history is coming to auction: a signed and inscribed first edition of Virginia Woolf's novel "Orlando." This particular copy was a personal gift to Woolf's cook and housekeeper, Nellie Boxall.
The inscription inside the book reads, "Nellie Boxall from Virginia Woolf," and is dated October 11, 1928. It represents a direct link between the celebrated author and her household staff, offering a glimpse into Woolf's personal relationships.
This rare volume is part of a larger collection of books and vintage photographs connected to Nellie Boxall. The entire lot is estimated to reach up to £2,000 when it goes under the hammer on March 26. The sale will take place at Ewbank's in Woking, Surrey.
Among the other notable items in the sale is a signed first-edition biography gifted to Nellie by the famous actor Charles Laughton and his wife, Elsa Lanchester, who Boxall later worked for. Additionally, photographs from Virginia Woolf's personal collection are included, further illuminating Boxall's connections to prominent literary and theatrical figures.
