Top prize of $10,000 for best poem

Press, 28 October 1982, Page 17

Top prize of $10,000 for best poem

NZPA New York Sotheby Parke Bernet, the auction house, in a move away from its usual business, is sponsoring an international poetry competition which includes a top prize of $lO,OOO and 20 prizes of $5OO each and 10 prizes oi $2OO each.

Sotheby’s is sponsoring the competition- for the Arvon Foundation of England, an imaginative writing institution with centres in Lumb Bank in West Yorkshire and Totleigh Barton in Devon. According to the auction house, the competition has the largest first prize of any poetry contest. In addition to the $lO,OOO offered for the best poem, the winner will receive 12 bottles of claret selected by Sotheby’s. The second prize is $8000; $6OOO for the third prize; $4OOO for the fourth prize, and $2OOO for fifth prize. The second to fifth prize winners also will receive six bottles each of claret.

The top winner also will

be bestowed with a medal designed and struck under the direction of Sotheby's medal and coin department.

There are no restrictions on the number of lines and theme of the poem. The only requirements are that the poem be an original, unpublished work of the entrant and that it be written in English. Entrants of all ages can apply. All entries must be sent no later than November 30 to the Sotheby’s International Poetry Competition, 1982, for the Arvon Foundation; 34-35 New Bond Street, London Wl2 2AA, England. All profits of the competition will, go for the promotion of imaginative literature by the Arvon Foundation.

The poems will be judged by six well known poets, including Gwendolyn Brooks and Michael Baldwin.

The winners will be announced at an award ceremony on March 3, 1983, at Sotheby’s gallery in London.