Books

First edition, sole impression, number 44 of 150 copies signed by Heaney. This limited edition marks the first publication of eight of Heaney's celebrated "bog" poems, preceding by one month their inclusion in his major collection, North. This copy is from the library of Heaney's close friend, the poet Jon Stallworthy (1935-2014), with his signature on the front free endpaper. Considered among Heaney's best works, the poems were inspired by P. V. Glob's The Bog People, an archaeological study of Iron Age human sacrifice, written following the discovery of victims' bodies perfectly preserved in Danish peat bogs. In the poems, Heaney explores the myths and symbols of the Iron Age rituals and, through them, reflects on the contemporary political violence of the Troubles. Bog Poems was published by the Rainbow Press, established in 1970 by Heaney's friend and fellow poet Ted Hughes. Though in the early 1970s Heaney had sought to distance himself from the "Tribe of Ted", the two poets soon became close friends. Heaney sent Hughes early drafts of the bog poems in 1973, which Hughes read "admiringly" (Hart, p. 87). Heaney writes in his introduction that the poems "gained a confidence in themselves" through Hughes's "matching and nurturing interest", and he dedicates the book to Ted Hughes, Olwyn, and Barrie Cooke. The two men enjoyed a long association, later collaborating on the poetry anthologies The Rattle Bag (1982) and The School Bag (1997). Heaney delivered a eulogy at Hughes's funeral in 1998. "Strange Fruit" is here titled "Tete Coupée", and the words "Grauballe" and "Belderg" are misprinted "Grauballe" and "Belderg". READ MORE Quarto. Original red half morocco by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, spine lettered in gilt, marbled sides, top edge gilt, others untrimmed. With original slipcase. Illustrated title page and three illustrations by Barrie Cooke. Hint of foxing and toning to edges, a near-fine copy. Brandes & Durkan A11. Henry Hart, "Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes: A Complex Friendship", The Sewanee Review, vol. 120, no. 1, Winter 2012.

Bog Poems is a collection by Seamus Heaney that explores the rich and enigmatic landscape of Irish bogs, intertwining themes of history, nature, and mythology.