263. Dezső Kosztolányi (1885–1936), poet, writer.

Autograph manuscript of the poem „Az aranykapunál” (At the Golden Gate).
The unfamiliar title may surprise readers. Although published under this title in the journal Új Idők (1910, issue 26), the poem was later renamed “Párizs” (Paris). The text here differs not only in punctuation but substantially from the final version. Written in the French capital, Kosztolányi evidently at first intended the earlier title. Particularly interesting is the accompanying letter. Addressed to the “Honourable Editor,” which, according to literary historian Tamás Bíró-Balogh, probably referred to József Kiss, editor of A Hét, though Ferenc Herczeg (Új Idők) or József Andor (Élet) are also possible. The letter states: “As expiation for many sins, I send you a poem; I send it hastily, since it is Parisian and dear to me, and timely too.” He laments having no time to write more, adding that he would return home the following week. The lack of time was likely due to his love affair with the dancer known as “Madame Frou Frou,” about whom he wrote to his cousin, Géza Csáth: “I laugh at everything. This is love. There is no reason to come to Paris except for this...” The woman probably overshadowed his original purpose of meeting Rainer Maria Rilke. This piece clearly merits further research.
2 and 1 written pages. 
Dated: Paris, 1909. June 1.
Provenance: In the envelope of Géza Vasberényi’s collection.
 
Starting price: 800 000,-