LAND OF UNLIKENESS by Lowell, Robert - 1944

Cummington, MA: Cummington Press, 1944. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Very good-. Octavo, unpaginated [48pp.]. About very good in the publisher's blue boards, stamped in red. Spine sun-faded (as is often the case) and slightly offset near the spine on the rear board. Spine ends nicked. A fragile book, with some mild evidence of wear, but unrestored, and perfectly clean internally. One of 224 limited copies (there were another 26 copies printed on Dacian paper and signed and lettered by the author). The first edition of Lowell's rare first book, which appears infrequently in commerce and at auction. Lacks the uncommon tissue dust jacket.

Cummington, Massachusetts: Cummington Press,, 1944. Fire-breathing righteousness First edition, first printing, of Lowell's first book of poems, one of 250 copies, notably uncommon in the original glassine, especially so in such fine condition. The poems were written between 1940 and 1944, while the author was studying in Louisiana and Tennessee. "Lowell at that time converted to Roman Catholicism, influenced by Gerard Manley Hopkins, Etienne Gilson, and other Catholic writers and philosophers, and impelled as well by his dark moods and what his wife termed 'fire-breathing righteousness'. This religious conversion strongly shaped the character of his first two books of poetry" (ANB). The Cummington Press was a small letterpress owned and operated by Harry Duncan (1916-1997), "considered the father of the post-World War II private-press movement" (Newsweek, 16 August 1982). The press's first book, Incident on the Bark Columbia, appeared in 1941, printed on a hand printing press at the Cummington… Read More

Cummington, MA: The Cummington Press, 1944. Boards. Very Good. The 1944 original printing of Robert Lowell's first published book, limited to 250 copies. THIS COPY BELONGING TO POET ROBERT DUNCAN, WHO SIGNED HIS NAME ON THE FRONT FREE ENDPAPER AND WHOSE WILDLY DECORATIVE 1945 BOOKPLATE (SHARED WITH AND UNDOUBTEDLY DESIGNED BY HIS PARTNER JESS COLLINS) ADORNS THE FRONT PASTEDOWN. A solid, presentable copy to boot. Clean and VG in its dark boards, with light offsetting along the panel edges, limited, very light blotching to the rear panel and its usual (in this case mild) fading along the spine. Introduction by Allen Tate. Also includes a handsome, custom-made chemise and printed slipcase, with its gilt-titled, dark-leather label along the spine.

(Cummington, MA): Cummington Press, 1944. First Edition. Hardcover. Slight fading to boards, moreso to the spine which has a couple of small tears, one neatly repaired. Very Good and scarce. Publisher's blue boards stamped in orange, title page printed in red and black with woodcut in blue by Gustav Wolf. Introduction by Allen Tate. Lowell's first book, limited to a total of 250 copies printed. This is Copy #11 of only 26 on Dacian paper SIGNED by the author on the limitation page. Allen Tate, in his introduction to this collection, tempers his praise with a fair assessment of Lowell's current stature and potential, heralding a lasting presence in American poetry: "The history of poetry shows that good verse does not inevitably make its way; but unless, after the war, the small public for poetry shall exclude all except the democratic poets who enthusiastically greet the advent of the slave-society, Robert Lowell will have to be reckoned with." Two years later, Lowell would win the Pulitzer Prize… Read More

(Cummington): The Cummington Press, 1944. Hardcover. Very Good. First edition. Blue printed papercovered boards, lettered in red. Introduction by Allen Tate. Woodcut by Gustav Wolf. Light rubbing to the crown, spine a little faded, with two very small spots, and a small, light smudge on the front board, lacking the original unprinted glassine dustwrapper. A nice, very good copy of a fragile volume, and internally fine. This copy Inscribed by Lowell to Stanley Hyman, important American literary critic, and husband of the novelist Shirley Jackson: "For Stanley Hyman From Robert Lowell With Great Respect." The author's first book. One of 224 copies of a total edition of 250. An important title and a keystone of American poetry.

2015 - Stated First Edition - Limited Edition - INSCRIBED by author on the title-page "Fran Marie, Friend for many years," - "Unlike the tradition of most books of poetry, Ransom includes photos and paintings." - book: near fine - tight, sound, and square - pages are clean and unmarked - dj: near fine

Rare original poetry book with cloth covered boards, copyright 1880 by J. W. Shoemaker & Co. This edition published in 1906 by the Penn Publishing company, Philadelphia. From the estate of my great-great grandfather.Includes many unique poems and recitations such as "To a skull", "Uncle Daniel's Introduction to a Mississippi Steamer", "The Leak in the Dyke", etc. More well-known poetry includes "Song of Birds", "Old Ironsides", and "Bannock Burn" by Robbie Burns. Light rubbing and bumps to outside spine edges. Back cover and interior cloth covered board has a stain at top. Original owner's name and address from 1908, but no other writing or marks. First 2 pages have a stain at top, but text of 192 pages of poetry and recitations is totally clean with light tanning of pages.

Comet Press Books, New York, 1956, Fine Hardcover / no dustjacket, 56 pages, 5.5" x 8.25". Inscribed by author on ffep.

New York, Grove Press, 2022, trade paperback, 272 pp, Advance Uncorrected Proof (ARC), New. Straight, tight and clean with no wear or markings in bright, pictorial card covers, no dustjacket as issued. The pieces in this collection, written between 1956 and 1961 and including short fiction, a radio play, and a stunning early novel, offer startling insights into Cohens imagination and creative process. Cohen explores themes that would permeate his later work, from shame and unworthiness to sexual desire in all its sacred and profane dimensions to longing, whether for love, family, freedom, or transcendence. ISBN 9780802160478

Trumansburg, NY: Out of Step Press. Fine with no dust jacket. 2016. Numbered Edition; First Printing. Pamphlet. The author's non-linear poem about the billeting of soldiers in civilian homes in wartime. Copy 89 of a limited edition of 250. Folded into the form of a letter, the work was letterpress printed in wraps of handmade "combat paper" made from military uniforms. The author says: "Some time ago-maybe a year, maybe two? I had a conversation with some of my Combat Paper brothers (well, the kids call them their combat paper uncles, so it follows…) that led to me writing the poem "Quartering." Which was informed by them, of course, and by all the rooms I'm in, and by imagining what is really required of all the caregivers I love. It's a thought experiment: if we tore down the barracks at military hospitals and offered incentives for Americans in the surrounding neighborhoods to quarter injured service members, what would the honest instructions… Read More

Plainfield: North Atlantic Books, 1976. First Edition, 8vo. [60pp], no pagination. Softcover, pictorial wraps. Very good condition, faint creasing, slight rubbing, top corner bumped and back cover small stain. This project was partially supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C., a federal agency. Please see photos for specifics. A portion of all book sales from Babcock & 68th are donated to charity.

Singapore: Math Paper Press. Very Good. 2012. First Edition. Softcover. 9810728492 . Printed white wrappers, show moderate soil; light vertical crease front cover. Two Poem anthology, arising from the accidental advocacy of one poet, coming off the back of her love for walking about in the less beaten paths in Singapore. In a series of chapbooks borne of the Babette's Feast public gathering of writers.; 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall .

Palermo Edizioni Arte e Pensiero, 1947, paperback. Poetry, text in ITALIAN. SIGNED, inscribed by Giosue Sparito (pseudonym of Enrico Fagone). 123 pages. Softcover. Good used condition: binding unglued from spine, covers edgeworn, page margins tanned.

NY: Exposition Press, 1976. Burgundy leatherette boards, bright gilt lettering. Pages [63] clean, unmarked, binding tight and square. Semi-transparent waxpaper dust jacket, appears to be original; in new archival mylar, age discoloration at edges and spine, some edge wear, small bit missing. The author graduated Kennett (Missouri) High School in 1973. Copy of newspaper [DDD] article about the KHS reunion on Jan 18, 2004 laid in. Now also available is a signed copy, same condition but without the transparent dust jacket. Media Mail, Priority & most international shipping include free tracking information. Every book listed is located in my smoke free and climate controlled shop. All are inspected by me and will have qualities and/or flaws described. . First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Good+.

Winnetka, IL: Vixen Press, 1985. First Edition. Pictorial Paper Covers. Fine. 20pp, colophon; six colored wood engravings by Caryl Seidenberg. 9.5" x 6.5" This is #222 of 250 copies only, set in Centaur and Arrighi types and printed by hand on dampened Rives heavyweight. Signed under the colophon by Seidenberg and by Friedberg.