Books

First edition, first printing, of the author's first book of poems, including several enduring verses, such as "in Just- / spring when the world is mud- / luscious...", and two poems on the First World War ("the bigness of cannon / is skilful..." and "O sweet spontaneous / earth..."). The book was largely composed during Cummings's residence in Paris between 1921 and 1923. In this early volume, his avant-garde approach is already clear: "The book is so obviously the work of a talented young man who is striking off in new directions, groping for original and yet precise expression, experimenting in public" (Maurer, p. 11). This copy has three magazine clippings of poems by Cummings mounted on the front free endpaper verso, and two further clippings loosely inserted: John Ciardi's essay on Cummings's poetry, "Manner of Speaking", published in the 29 September 1962 issue of the Saturday Review; and "Ten Poems", published in the 24 August 1963 issue of the New Yorker. Octavo. Original quarter linen, paper spine label printed in brown, brown paper boards, top edge brown, other edges untrimmed. Boston bookseller's ticket and ownership signature of one Phil Conrad to front free endpaper. Spine label browned, small spots of wear to extremities, front endpapers browned, contents clean. A very good copy. Connolly, Modern Movement 47a; Firmage A3a.