Books

First edition, US issue bound from the original UK sheets with the US cancel title page in the subsequent year, very scarce in such a sharp dust jacket. This American edition was taken up by the notably modernist B. W. Huebsch, the American publisher of James Joyce and D. H. Lawrence. The collection was promoted and published by Sassoon after Owen's death with the backing of Edith Sitwell. The work, which is often described as the greatest collection of First World War poetry, contains all of Owen's best known poems, including "Dulce et decorum est", "Insensibility", "Anthem for Doomed Youth", "Futility", and "Strange Meeting". Quarto. Original grey boards, titles to spine in gilt, publisher's device in blind to front cover, top edge blue, others untrimmed. With dust jacket. Photogravure portrait frontispiece with tissue guard. Negligible creasing and touch of wear to spine ends and tips, offsetting to endpapers; else a near-fine, notably fresh copy in the uncommonly well-preserved jacket, with light soiling and scuffs to panels, slight creasing, and nicks to extremities, and small chips to spine ends and tips. .

"Poems" by John Keats, published in 1817, marks the initial foray of the celebrated Romantic poet into the literary world. This collection encompasses a diverse array of poems that encapsulate Keats's exploration of themes such as nature, beauty, love, and the transient nature of life. Among the notable pieces in this collection are Keats's renowned odes, including "Ode to a Nightingale," where he delves into the contrast between the immortal beauty of art and the transient nature of human existence. In "Ode on a Grecian Urn," he muses on the eternal nature of art and its ability to capture moments frozen in time. The collection also features his sonnets, showcasing Keats's skill in capturing complex emotions and sentiments in a concise yet evocative form. Poems like "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer" express his awe and exhilaration upon discovering Homer's works through the translation by George Chapman. Keats's appreciation for the beauty of the natural world is evident throughout the collection. His vivid descriptions and sensuous imagery in poems such as "To Autumn" paint a captivating picture of seasonal beauty, showcasing his ability to intertwine the human experience with the splendor of nature. The themes of love and desire permeate several of Keats's works in this collection. Poems like "Bright Star" express his longing for enduring love and immortal fame, while "La Belle Dame sans Merci" explores the enchantment and peril of romantic entanglement. "Poems" serves as a testament to Keats's remarkable poetic talent, displaying his mastery of language, vivid imagery, and profound exploration of universal themes. Although this collection initially received mixed reviews and modest recognition during Keats's lifetime, it has since solidified his reputation as one of the most influential and revered poets in English literature. His rich and evocative verses continue to resonate with readers, captivating them with their emotional depth and timeless beauty.