MANDELA, Nelson.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Original manuscripts for My Robben Island Series II. The finest Mandela manuscripts ever to come to market: five handwritten compositions describing his imprisonment on Robben Island. Mandela wrote the manuscripts to be reproduced, alongside his artworks, as signed prints for charity in a portfolio. They were kept by the publisher, and are offered along with the publisher's own portfolio, with each print numbered 1 of 25 artist's proofs.In 2002, the 84-year-old Mandela returned to Robben Island, the site of his imprisonment from 1964 to 1982. He was accompanied by photographer Grant Warren. As a therapeutic activity under the guidance of the art teacher, Varenka Paschke, he drew artwork of parts of the prison from Warren's photographs. He wrote the manuscripts to accompany each artwork, explaining the meaning to him of the location depicted and giving his reflections.The artworks, photographs, and text were issued in an edition of 25 sets of artist's proofs and 350 numbered sets, each housed in a portfolio. The edition followed another series of artworks, Robben Island I, which did not include accompanying text or photographs. Both were published in 2003, and funds went to Mandela's chosen charities.The portfolio comprises five lithographs of the manuscripts, five lithographs of artwork by Mandela of parts of the prison, and five lithographs of photographs of the same locations. The photographs are each signed by Grant Warren. They are titled "Guard Tower", "Mandela's Walk",

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