Books

First edition, first printing, of one of the greatest collections of love poetry ever published, rare in commerce. This work launched the literary career of 19-year-old Neruda and contains one of his most famous poems, "Juegas todos los dias...", with its notorious erotic ending "I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees". It is Neruda's most famous collection and the best-selling poetry book in the Spanish language. Square octavo (198 x 190 mm). Bound in late 20th-century green morocco, spine lettered and ruled in gilt with raised bands, single gilt rule to covers, turn-ins gilt-ruled, marbled endpapers, original wrappers bound in at front and rear. Text in Spanish. Spine a little toned; contents slightly foxed, wrappers more so with damp marks at head, a few nicks to edges of preliminary blank with small adhesive label at gutter, tiny repair to head of half-title: a near-fine copy. Becco 16.