California by Coolbrith, Ina; Sweeney, Dan (Frontispiece Portrait); Haste, Lawrence B. (Decorations) - 1918

San Francisco: The Book Club of California (printed by John Henry Nash), 1918. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Near fine. One of 500 copies, quarto size, 13 pp. Prominent San Francisco poet Ina Coolbrith (1841-1928) delivered this poem for Commencement Day at the University of California, and was the first of its kind to be written by a woman for any university; Coolbrith was active in the San Francisco literary scene, and she was the first Poet Laureate of California, in 1915, a position she held until her death in 1928. Her love for the state of California is apparent in her writing, and this poem expresses her belief "that the Poet of the New World - of the World - was to come out of the West - from California."

This volume is beautifully printed by the inimitable John Henry Nash (1871-1947), known for his fine press editions, particularly of local writers and subject matter. An early example of a Book Club of California Publication, whose first publication was done only four years prior, in 1914.

___DESCRIPTION: Quarter natural linen with green paper boards, tan paper spine label with black lettering, fore- and bottom edges uncut, frontispiece a portrait of the author by Dan Sweeney, title page with orange decorations and green ruled borders, orange decorations and green ruled borders throughout; Cloister italic type, Umbria handmade paper, quarto size (10.25" by 7.75"), pagination: [2] i-ii 1-9, one of 500 copies, unnumbered.

___CONDITION: Volume is near fine, with clean boards, straight corners with no rubbing, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; a few specks of soiling to the front board, and light toning to the fore-edge of the text block, else fine.

___CITATION: O'day p. 8, BCC 100 no. 7.

___POSTAGE:  International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details.

___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help.