A LITTLE BOOK OF MODERN VERSE (First printing)

Anne Ridler [Selected by] T. S. Eliot [Preface]

Published by Faber & Faber, 24 Russell Square, London, 1941

A first printing of the true first edition, published in November 1941. A wartime anthology of modern poetry, selected by Anne Ridler and with a preface by T. S. Eliot. Interestingly, the title of the book on the boards and title page states "The Little Book of Modern Verse", whilst the dustwrapper states "A Little Book of Modern Verse". This was corrected in later printings. ***Very good in pale yellow cloth-covered boards with black titles to the spine. The boards are nice and clean with just some foxing marks mainly to the back board. No bumping. Corners sharp. No creasing. Spine tight. Internally also very good, with just light foxing to the endpapers, and some crinkling to the paper which was produced to war-economy standards. No tears or creases. Ownership name to front free endpaper in light pencil. Pages clean. ***In a very good original dustwrapper, which retains the publisher's printed price of 3s. 6d. net. The dustwrapper is largely complete, with just some small loss at the head and tail of the spine. No significant creasing. No large chips. There are some light marks to the front panel, and browning to the spine of the dustwrapper. ***160 pages. 192mm x 128mm. ***Includes poems by the following poets: Gerard Manley Hopkins, W. B. Yeats, Harold Monro, Wallace Stevens, T. E. Hulme, Ezra Pound, D. H. Lawrence, Charles Williams, Marianne Moore, Edith Sitwell, Edwin Muir, T. S. Eliot, John Crowe Ransom, Isaac Rosenberg, Wilfred Owen, Herbert Read, Robert Graves, Allen Tate, Hart Crane, Laura Riding, Michael Roberts, Cecil Day Lewis, John Betjeman, William Empson, W. H. Auden, Louis MacNeice, Frederic Prokosch, K. J. Raine, W. R. Rodgers, Stephen Spender, Bernard Spencer, Francis Scarfe, Lawrence Durrell, Charles Madge, Kenneth Allott, F. T. Prince, Anne Ridler, Henry Treece, George Barker, Dylan Thomas, Ruthven Todd. ***'The editor has performed a task of some difficulty, in selecting representative poems by those whom she considers representative poets of the several literary generations which may be classed together under her title. Within the narrow limits imposed by a "little" book of verse, she has endeavoured, not to find a place for every distinguished name - which would be impossible - but to provide an illustration of the various styles of poetry which are generally acknowledged to be "modern"'. [Quote taken from T. S. Eliot's preface] ***A first printing of the true first edition, published during the Second World War, in nice collectable condition. Although not a scarce book, copies in presentable and collectable condition in their original wartime dustwrappers are hard to find now. Included with the book is some wartime ephemera, in the form of a printed typed sheet from the 'Department of Adult Education, University College, Nottingham. Workers' Educational Association. Nottingham Branch. University Sessional Class. Literature in a Changing World. Session 1942-43. 24 meetings." The sheet lists the subjects that would be covered, and a book list, where someone has hand-written the listed book in pencil at the end of the book list. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. Seller Inventory # 7650

Bibliographic Details

Title: A LITTLE BOOK OF MODERN VERSE (First ...
Publisher: Faber & Faber, 24 Russell Square, London
Publication Date: 1941
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
Edition: First Edition