inscribed by Hughes to his sibling

Inscribed to his brother and sister-in-law, 'For Joan and Gerald, with love, Ted, 29th January 1998'. Also with a strand of Gerald and Ted's hair taped down with caption 'together at last' in Gerald's hand.

The collection of poems deals with Hughes' and Plath's relationship from the Poet Laureate's point of view. Birthday Letters contains poems written over a period of twenty years, all but two of which are directed towards Sylvia Plath. Hughes died within a year of publication and perhaps as a consequence inscribed copies of this book are very uncommon and the provenance of this one is unique.

First edition, inscribed to the poet's brother and sister-in law on the front free endpaper; 8vo (225 x 145 mm); publisher's blue cloth, illustrated dust-jacket after a painting by Frieda Hughes (the poet's daughter), very mild rubbing to extremities, otherwise near fine.