Lot #23: Rare 1973 Latvian Diaspora: Piejūras dārzi & Lielupes sils by Skaidrīte Kaldupe

Offered here is a unique piece of mid-century Baltic emigre history: a 1973 combined diaspora volume of two major works by renowned Latvian author Skaidrīte Kaldupe. Published in the United States by the historic exile press Tilta Apgāds, this hardcover volume includes: 1. Piejūras dārzi (Seaside Gardens) – A collection of poetic literary fairy tales (pasakas) featuring beautiful interior illustrations by Karlis Sūniņš. 2. Lielupes sils (The Pine Forests of Lielupe) – A deeply emotive collection of short stories (stāsti) exploring romantic longing, solitude, and Latvian nature. This edition features a printed facsimile author's note and signature on the introductory flyleaf, featuring a short poetic text about the Lielupe region. This printed inclusion was a signature element used by the publisher to connect the exile community directly to the author's voice. • The Publisher (Tilta Apgāds): During the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states, vibrant communities of displaced Latvians established diaspora hubs worldwide. Tilta Apgāds, operating out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, became one of the premier publishers of Latvian exile literature. They preserved Baltic culture by reprinting key mainland titles, publishing banned dissident literature, and distributing high-quality Latvian-language books across North America, Australia, and Europe. Diaspora print runs were highly localized and notoriously small, making surviving copies scarce. • The Author & Significance: Skaidrīte Kaldupe (1922–2013) is a foundational voice in 20th-century Latvian prose. Known for weaving folklore motifs, vivid landscapes, and maritime themes into her work, her writing offered profound emotional comfort to exiled communities yearning for their homeland. The Printed Facsimile Inscription: Because Skaidrīte Kaldupe lived and worked inside Soviet Latvia, she could not personally sign copies for Western readers. The publisher creatively circumvented the restrictions of the Iron Curtain by embedding a photocopied/printed handwritten letter directly into the print run, making this a highly nostalgic and evocative choice for diaspora buyers. Pickup category timeslot {A}