Sold at auction: Remarkable image of renowned 'Garip' poets in Turkish literature
In a significant turn of events, a black-and-white photograph featuring the seminal figures of the Garip literary movement - Orhan Veli Kanık, Oktay Rifat, and Melik Cevdet Anday - was sold at auction for approximately 428,000 Turkish Liras (around $11,000), excluding taxes and fees. The iconic image, which took a prominent place in Turkish cultural memory, was up for sale by Phebus Auction House.
The trio, whose poetic revolution fundamentally transformed modern Turkish literature, is immortalized in this yearbook-style photograph. The image gained additional resonance with Melih Cevdet Anday's poignant poem "Fotograh," which serves as a literary companion, capturing a snapshot of camaraderie and the transient nature of time.
What made the photograph highly sought-after by collectors was its rare set of signatures. The photo was dedicated to their beloved literature teacher, Yahya Saim Bey (known as Ozanoglu), with an inscription reading, "To our dearest teacher, poet Yahya Saim Bey," and signed by all four students - Orhan Veli, Melih Cevdet, Oktay Rifat, and their classmate Sınasi.
The Garip movement, meaning 'Strange' or 'Outsider', emerged in the 1940s as a radical departure from the ornate, classical style of Ottoman poetry. The movement championed simplicity, colloquial language, and the everyday experiences of ordinary people, thereby democratizing Turkish poetry and leaving a lasting impact on its literary tradition.
The auctioned photograph serves as a tangible artifact of a literary revolution that continues to resound in the annals of Turkish literature and art.
The auction of the black-and-white photograph from the Garip literary movement's yearbook extends its significance beyond Turkish cultural memory, venturing into the realm of fashion-and-beauty and pop-culture collector's items. The photograph, adorned with rare signatures, presents a unique blend of entertainment value and historical significance. With the inclusion of Melih Cevdet Anday's moving poem "Fotograh," it also serves as a testament to the individual lives and friendships of the movement's founders, adding to the allure of sci-fi-and-fantasy enthusiasts who appreciate artifacts of literary and cultural revolutions.
