ABECEDARIA by Lowrance, Robert S. Jr. (MULTIPLE SIGNATURES) - 1984

Atlanta, Georgia: Harvey Dams Abrams Publisher, 1984 ABECEDARIA by Lowrance, Robert S. Jr. (MULTIPLE SIGNATURES) 1984 on cover of title page with no additional printings, Book is extremly attractive marbled dark brown with very bright gold cover lettering. No markings except for multiple signatures on first endpaper. "To dear friends Jenny and Judy...From the Publisher Harry D. Abrams". Followed in the middle of the page by author's signature "Robert D. Lowrance". Lastly, "For Jenny and Judy, Happy reading and for two beautiful Ladies...From the (re last poem) co-publisher & designer...G. Duda" Mr. Duda is referring to the final poem in the book,Willa's Contricution with authors's signature repeated at the bottom of his poem. Inside is clean sound and unmarked and printed on the better grade cream colored paper with lettering in darker brown calligraphy (Don Connelly) "The abecedarian is an ancient poetic form guided by alphabetical order. Generally each line or stanza begins with the first letter of the alphabet and is followed by the successive letter, until the final letter is reached. The earliest examples are Semitic and often found in religious Hebrew poetry. The form was frequently used in ancient cultures for sacred compositions, such as prayers, hymns, and psalms. There are numerous examples of abecedarians in the Hebrew Bible; one of the most highly regarded is Psalm 118 (or 119 by King James numbering). It consists of twenty-two eight-line stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Chaucer‘s "An ABC" is an excellent medieval example of the form. He crafted his translation of a French prayer into twenty-three eight-line stanzas that follow the alphabet (minus J, U, V, and W)." (Poets). Signed by Author, Publisher and Poet. First Edition. Hard Cover. Fine/No Jacket as Issued. Folio - over 12" - 15" tall.