Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror. Poems

ASHBERY, John

ISBN 10: 0140422013 / ISBN 13: 9780140422016

Published by The Viking Press, New York, 1975

About this Item

First edition. Fine in very near fine dustwrapper with a touch of rubbing. Advance Review Copy with publisher's slip and promotional letter laid in. Inscribed by the author to fellow poet Daniel Hoffman: "for Dan Hoffman with my best, John Ashbery 11/11/76." Hoffman's first collection of poems, *An Armada of Thirty Whales* (1954), was chosen for the Yale Series of Younger Poets by W.H. Auden. In addition to publishing several other volumes of poetry and important works of criticism, he also later served as the Consultant in Poetry of the Library of Congress (the equivalent of the United States Poet Laureate) in 1973-1974. This book won the Putlitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the National Book Critics Circle Award. A nice copy with a nice association.

Seller Inventory # 417879

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror. Poems
• Publisher: The Viking Press, New York
• Publication Date: 1975
• ISBN 10: 0140422013
• ISBN 13: 9780140422016
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Poetry

About this title

Synopsis

'Self Portrait in a Convex Mirror'was the first of John Ashbery's books to be published in Britain by Carcanet, and this is its third printing. Since it originally appeared here in 1977, three further collections have followed: 'As We Know', 'Shadow Train' and 'A Wave'. 'Self Portrait in a Convex Mirror'was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, a National Book Award and the National Book Critics' Circle Award. The long title poem, a meditation on Parmigianino's famous self-portrait, has become Ashbery's best-known poem. It is accompanied here by a number of shorter pieces - playful, witty, elusive.

Review

"He is quite simply the finest poet in English of his generation." (Bryan Appleyard, The Times, 1984) "Ashbery has remained the poet of our moment because more than any contemporary he has stayed the poet of the here and now." (David Herd, The Guardian, 24th July 1997) "He is one of the most vital, revelatory, and original poets we have. His vigilance is a blessing upon poetry, a wake-up call to all slumbering aesthetics." (Greg Harris, American Book Review, Jan-Feb 1999)