Books

First edition, first printing, of the poet's debut collection. This copy, one of 500 in the first issue binding, is from the library of the novelist and puppet master Forman Brown, with his bookplate and ownership signature, dated 23 April 1924. Brown (1901-1996) founded the Yale Puppeteers with his lover, Richard Brandon, in 1922. Their puppetry attracted the attention and support of several celebrities, including Greta Garbo and Albert Einstein. Writing under the pseudonym Richard Meeker, Brown published his only novel, Better Angel (1933), about his relationship with Brandon and his experiences coming to terms with his homosexuality. Published the same year as The Young and Evil, the work has since been recognized as "the first homosexual novel with a truly happy ending" (Haggerty, p. 313). Harmonium includes some of Stevens's most famous poems, such as "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird", "The Emperor of Ice-Cream", "The Snow Man", and "Sunday Morning". Octavo. Original blue quarter cloth, paper spine label printed in red, patterned paper sides, top edge red, fore and bottom edges untrimmed. Spine and boards lightly rubbed and toned, hint of wear to spine ends, contents toned but clean. A very good copy. Connolly, One Hundred Modern Books, p. 46; Edelstein A1a. George Haggerty, ed., Encyclopedia of Gay Histories and Cultures, 2013.

Harmonium is the first book of poetry by American poet Wallace Stevens, published in 1923. The collection includes many of Stevens' most famous poems such as 'Sunday Morning,' 'Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,' and 'The Emperor of Ice-Cream.' It is noted for its lush language, imaginative landscapes, and thematic richness.