101. From zone to zone. A prize poem. [St. Louis?: 1881.]
$45
First separate edition, 8vo, pp. 22; withdrawn stamp on title-p., otherwise very good in original drab printed wrappers. Inscribed "From the author, Highland, NY" at the top of the front wrapper.
"Reprinted with the kind permission of Mr. Hinton Rowan Helper from his volume entitled 'The Three Americas Railway,' a collection of letters, prize essays, and other material advocating railway communication with South America" (from the title-p.).
102. [Carrier Verse.] A few rhymes by the carrier boys of the Salem Register, and by them presented, with the compliments of the season. [Salem]: January 1, 1869.
$225
8vo, (16.5 x 11.5 cm), pp. [1], 1-7; unbound; small tear in the top corner of the title page; very good.
Verse on local Essex County topics mixed with national and presidential matters.
Brown and Salem State only in OCLC, the former in a smaller format, and the latter with unnumbered pages.
103. You poems. Ann Arbor: Crowfoot Press, [1979].
$45
First edition limited to 350 copies, 8vo, pp. [24]; fine in original embossed brown wrappers lettered in gilt.
This copy inscribed: "To Allan, Cinda ... with love, Andrew / Salinas 4/13/79."
104. Journey to a known place. Norfolk, Connecticut: New Directions, 1961.
$250
Edition limited to 300 copies (this, no. 12) printed by Harry Duncan and Kim Merker; 4to, pp. 29, [3]; 4 linoleum cuts in brown, green, yellow, and red representing earth, water, air and fire; original black cloth-backed paper-covered boards; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
American Institute of Graphic Arts 50 Books of the Year Award.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 9: "This was the last book I helped Harry to print. J [James - his nickname is 'J'] Laughlin of New Directions has often had small presses do limited editions for him, and this is one he commissioned Harry to do, who in turn asked me to help with it."
105. North winter ... Decorations by Dale Ballantyne. Iowa City: Prairie Press, [1964].
$100
First edition, 8vo; title page printed in blue, red and black; illustrations printed in blue; fine in original gray cloth-backed decorative paper-covered boards and in a lightly soiled dust jacket. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy inscribed by Carruth "To Julie Shay, with best wishes from Hayden Carruth. Johnson, Vermont, 15th December 1966."
Cheever 138.
106. Candy #1 [all published]. Iowa City: Sticky-Fingers Press, 1973.
$125
12mo, pp. [46]; printed from typescript; original red wrappers, red cloth spine; very good, except that a piece of candy [?] has been removed from the front cover. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
With contributions by Larry Eiger, Allan Kornblum, Curtis Faville, Dave Gitin, Joyce Holland (aka Dave Morice), Dave Morice, Steve Toth, among others.
107. Autumn dreams. By Chiquita. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1870.
$100
First edition, slim 12mo, pp. 107; engraved frontis portrait; wood-engraved initials and decorations throughout; front cover a little spotted, else a very good copy in original decorative green cloth stamped in gilt on upper cover and spine.
108. Brooklyn - Queens Day. [Guilford, CT.]: A Telephone Book, 1982.
$250
Edition limited to 300 copies, 26 of which are lettered and signed by Cataldo (this, the letter M, signed by her); oblong 8vo, 48 leaves printed from typescript on rectos only; fine copy in original pictorial wrappers by Ann Rupel.
109. Undertones. Boston: Copeland and Day, 1896.
$150
First edition limited to 550 copies, 12mo, pp. viii, 65; title-page with publisher's device printed in red; original grayish-blue paper-covered boards, printed paper labels on front cover and spine; extremities somewhat worn with lower forecorner of front cover bumped, the joints just beginning to crack, overall moderate soil and a few stains; a good, sound copy.
With autograph poem, "The Sirens," signed by Cawein on separate attached strip of paper, the resulting sheet folded and mounted to ffep. Madison Julius Cawein (1865-1914), known as "The Keats of Kentucky," published well over 25 volumes of poetry in his lifetime.
BAL 2998.
110. At the heart of the world. Translated by Annabel Levitt. [New York: O Press / Michael Lally, 1978].
$75
First edition in English limited to 500 copies, 8vo, pp. 45, [3]; light toning, else near fine in black side-stapled card wrappers and dust jacket by Franco Beltrametti. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Toothpaste Press and Coffee House Press.
111. Spring in this world of poor mutts. New York and London: published for the Frank O'Hara Foundation at Columbia University Press, 1968.
$45
First edition, wrapper issue; 8vo, pp. viii, [2], 85, [1]; original pictorial wrappers a bit rubbed; otherwise, very good. From the library of Allan Kornblum, fine press printer, poet, and founder of the Coffee House Press.
Inscribed by Ceravolo: "May 11, 1976, to Allan and Cinda, with my best wishes, Joe." This book is the first to win the Frank O'Hara Award for Poetry.
112. A day celebrating the friends of the writing program at the State University of Iowa. May 7, 1960. Special guest: Bennett Cerf, President, Random House. Iowa City: The Qara Press, 1960.
$50
Large 8vo, pp. [8]; printed on British hand-made paper; fine copy in original embossed wrappers flecked with gold. From the library of Kim Merker.
Includes music and a libretto by Philip Bezanson and Paul Engle. Also, a list of the Friends of the Writing Program and Faculty Guests. It was at this event that the founding of the Iowa Industries Fellowships in Writing were inaugurated.
Iowa and Iowa State only in OCLC.
113. Indian summer and other poems. Boston: Richard G. Badger, The Gorham Press, 1903.
$45
First edition, 8vo, pp. 95; original decorative mauve cloth stamped in red and blue, top edge stained red; a fine copy in the original glassine dust jacket.
114. Lovers' lyrics, and other songs. Philadelphia: A. Edw. Newton & Co, 1012 Walnut Street [E. A. Stillman, printer, Westerly, R. I.], 1888.
$800
First edition, slim 12mo, pp. iv, [1], 6-38; near fine in original brown cloth stamped in gilt and black on the upper cover.
Champlin (1854-1927) was born, raised, and died in Westerly, Rhode Island. He was by turns a journalist, author, and poet. A slim volume of verse which were it not for its publisher would likely have been forgotten. "This scarce book is noted by Winterich in his article on Newton imprints (no. 4) and states there are two different cover colors. Winterich believed that the fact Newton published this book was some indication that his publishing firm was more than just a vanity press and actually had some reputation in the field of publishing" (Oak Knoll Catalogue 86, no. 403).
115. Bangla (water pipe) Desh. [Iowa City, Iowa]: Seamark Press, 1971.
$100
Broadsheet, approx. 25" x 7½" folded 7 times; the verso (with the title and imprint) printed in red, and the recto (with the 6-stanza geo-political poem) in black; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
G.S. Sharat Chandra (1935–2000) was an author of both poetry and fiction. Born in India, Chandra received a law degree in India but came to the United States in the 1960s to become a writer. He received his Masters of Fine Arts form the Iowa Writers Workshop.
Printed by Kay Amert, the director of the University of Iowa Typography Library from 1972 to 2006 where she was a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She was a noted scholar of French Renaissance printing.
Iowa only in OCLC.
116. Ninette a redwoods idyll ... illustrated by M. Isabelle Morrison. San Francisco: William Doxy, 1894.
$75
First edition, 8vo, 28 leaves printed on rectos only, photolithographically illustrated throughout in the margins and head- and tail-pieces from Morrison's watercolors; original blue cloth lettered in gilt on upper cover and spine, a.e.g.; very good, sound, and clean.
Cheney (1848-1922) was "an American poet, essayist and librarian. He practiced law briefly in Woodstock, Vermont and New York City before moving to California with his first wife Abigail Perkins, teaching music, lecturing, and working as a postal clerk. In 1887 he assumed the position of librarian of the Free Public Library of San Francisco, where he oversaw the openings of the system's first branch libraries and hosted the first west coast conference of the American Library Association in 1891. In 1894 he moved to Chicago, where he served as librarian of the Newberry Library" (Wikipedia).
117. The time of roses. Portland, ME: Thomas B. Mosher, 1908.
$225
First edition limited to 50 copies printed on Japan vellum, 12mo, pp. [6], 56, [1]; title-page with publisher's device printed in red; original Japan vellum-covered boards lettered in green on spine and in brown on front cover, yapp edges; all text within ruled borders; barely visible vertical crease in paper of front cover (board unaffected), a very good copy.
118. Manhattan an elegy and other poems ... Woodcuts by Margaret Sunday. Iowa City: University of Iowa Center for the Book, 1990.
$2,500
Edition limited to 130 numbered copies and 10 unnumbered proofs (this, copy no. 124), all of which are signed by both the artist and the author; folio, pp. [60]; illustrated throughout; fine in original illustrated paper-covered boards designed by Pamela Spitzmueller; printed on heavy French mouldmade paper by Kim Merker and Don Howell, with assistants. Nice copy from the library of Kim Merker.
This is the "second in a series of livres d'artistes published by the University of Iowa Center for the Book" (p. [9]).
"Overcoming the challenges of printing this book was difficult. It was like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. It was great fun to do, but it was a bear."
Printing and the Mind of Merker, 95.
119. View from Mount Paugus and other poems. Omaha: Abattoir Editions, University of Nebraska, [1976].
$50
Edition limited to 200 copies (this, no. 131); 8vo, pp. 59, [1]; original hand-made paper-covered boards, paper label on upper cover and spine, original tissue dust jacket; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
120. Out of sight, Vol. 1, nos. 1-2 [all published]. San Francisco: Kamikaze Press, 1966.
$100
2 volumes, large 4to; printed from typescript; original pictorial wrappers (minor soiling), else near fine.
Includes contributions by Margaret Randall, Andrew Hoyem, Larry Eigner, and many others.
121. [Untitled]. Durham, NC: K. Clove, 2005.
$250
Edition limited to 20 copies (this, no. 16), dated and signed with initials in blind on rear cover flap; 3" x 3¼", 6 folding leaves, each leaf with 3 photographic images approx. 1¼" x 2"; fine, sewn into plain cream paper wrappers.
122. & grammar & money. Berkeley: Ārif Press, 1973.
$100
Edition limited to 350 copies, 26 of which have been lettered and signed by the author; oblong 12mo, pp. [22]; title page printed in red and black; original tan wrappers printed in red and black; back wrapper with a few small, light coffee stains; all else near fine. Printed by Wesley Tanner. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
This copy inscribed: "For Allan, for Kornblum, peace to both. Andrei Codrescu, April 26, '73." And later, in the same hand: "West Branch, June 3 (5' stop)." Cinda Kornblum clarifies: "Andrei's reference to the signature he did on the 5 minute stop. He and family were traveling cross country. We weren't home but usually left the door unlocked. Andrei came in and signed all his books while we were gone. We found them when we returned."
123. Strange faeces 10. London and San Francisco: Strange Faeces / Kingdom Kum Press, [ca. 1972].
$75
Staple-bound journal, pp. [114]; mimeographed text, illustrations, and cartoons on tan and green paper; printed paper wrappers in a duotone comics motif by Nanos Valaoritis. Text a bit toned, else near fine.
With contributions by Alice Notley, Tom Veich, Allan Kornblum, Claude Pelieu, Gerard Malanga, Ted Berringan, Aram Saroyan and others. Also includes an interview with Philip Whalen by Aram Saroyan.
124. License to carry a gun. Chicago: Big Table Publishing Company, [1970].
$150
8vo, pp. 80; black-and-white photographic portrait of the author on page 33; fine copy in original black cloth, red lettering on spine, in a rubbed, but unclipped dust jacket. The book won for Codrescu the 1970 Prize in the Big Table Series of Younger Poets. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
This copy inscribed by Codrescu on the title page, where he has crossed out the word "gun" and has inserted the word "book." So the inscription reads, in effect, "A book for Allen who makes mine. Love, Andrei Codrescu Boulder July 23, '91."
125. Master Manole to Anna. Based on a Romanian folktale. Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, [2012].
$45
Limited edition of an unknown quantity, 8vo, pp. [8]; fine in original printed hand-made paper wrappers from the St. Armand Mill in Canada. Signed by Codrescu on the flyleaf.
"Master Manole to Anna was reprinted from So Recently Rent a World: New and Selected Poems: 1968-2012 ... In Romanian folklore, the master builder, Manole, was the chief architect of the Curtea de Arges Monastery in Wallachia. A ballad based on the legend referenced in this poem was originally published by Vasile Alecsandri in 1852, in the first collection of Romanian folktales ever published" (colophon).
Buffalo only in OCLC.
126. Secret training. [San Francisco: Grape Press, 1973].
$75
First edition limited to 376 copies, this one of 350 in wrappers; light toning, else a near fine copy in original pictorial wrappers. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
This copy inscribed: "For Allan Kornblum In the same camp (different barracks) Andrei Codrescu, April 26, 1973."
127. Christchurch. Poems. New York: Thomas Seltzer, 1924.
$125
First edition, 12mo, pp. vii, [1], 54; fine copy in original blue paper-covered boards stamped in gilt, plain paper dust jacket.
This copy with a presentation from the author to Alice Kirby, inscribed on the front free endpaper. This is the author's first book.
128. Oriental harp. Poems of the Boston bard. Providence: printed and published by Smith & Parmenter, agents for the sale of the Oriental Harp, 1826.
$150
First edition, 8vo, pp. [9], 14-254; engraved frontispiece portrait; original drab boards, printed paper label on spine; both covers nearly loose, spine partially perished, label lightly chipped, occasional light foxing; all else good or better.
"Robert Stevenson Coffin was born in Brunswick, Me, 1797(?). For some time he worked at his trade as a printer, in Newburyport, Mass. During the War of 1812 he was a sailor and was captured and held as a prisoner on board a British frigate. After the war he continued to work at his trade in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. He died at Rowley, Mass., in 1857. He was self-styled 'The Boston Bard'" (Harris Collection).
American Imprints 24145; Harris Collection, p. 61; Sabin 14187.
129. Song spray. New London: Carl J. Viets, 1889.
$175
First edition limited to 100 copies on large paper (this copy no. 38), small 4to, pp. [2], viii, 173; title-p. printed in red and black; spine perished, boards soiled; all else very good in original gray paper-covered boards.
This copy enhanced by long manuscript poem by the author on the flyleaf, "A Handful of Thoughts," dated New London, July 31, 1891, and signed "Yours very truly, Thos. S. Collier."
Also, with a one and a half page A.L.s. dated Jan. 11, 1892 to a Mr. Gass noting that he has send a package of three books (listed by title), and noting that he book of poetry has been "universally praised by the critics."
130. Caterpillar story ... to the kid I used to be ... screen printed by Trevor Collis. 1999.
$150
Edition limited to 15 signed and numbered copies (this, no. 1); 8vo, pp. 3-30; color illustrated throughout; fine in original green handmade paper over boards.
Trevor Collis, now a renowned tattoo artist in Kirkwood, Missouri, graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design in 1999. This book was part of his senior course work and was gifted to Jody Williams, his instructor.
131. A share of the crop. Iowa City: The Prairie Press, [1963].
$50
First edition (400 copies printed), 8vo, pp. [10], 13-139, [1]; title page printed in red and black; fine in original green cloth-backed red cloth boards, printed paper label on spine. From the library of Kim Merker. Also issued in wrappers.
Cheever 133.
132. Ing ... Cover by Philip Guston. [New York]: Angel Hair Books, [1968].
$150
Edition limited to 500 copies (25 copies were numbered and signed by the artist and poet, and with an extra poem), 4to, pp. [52]; original pictorial wrappers, saddle-stitched; fine.
The author's second book of poetry.
133. The so. [New York]: Adventures in Poetry, [1971].
$125
First edition limited to 300 copies (there was also an issue of 26 lettered copies signed), 4to, [38] leaves printed from typescript on rectos only; original pictorial front wrapper by Brice Marden, back wrapper unadorned; side-stapled; near fine.
134. An oration, and poem, delivered before the government and students of Harvard University, at the departure off the senior class, July 31, 1811. Cambridge: printed by W. Hilliard & E. W. Metcalf, 1811.
$115
12mo, pp. 24; removed from binding; title leaf reattached, else very good.
Hooper's poem, "Seclusion," begins on p. 18; beginning on p. 21 are songs by Edward Everett and Nathaniel L. Frothingham.
American Imprints 22617; Wegelin 997.
135. In bed one night & other brief encounters. Providence: Burning Deck, [1983].
$225
Edition limited to 1200 copies, 200 of which are cloth-bound and signed; 12mo, pp. 59, [3]; original pictorial wrappers; near fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
This is one of the 1000 in wrappers, but it has been signed by Coover on the title page and inscribed by him, as well: "Iowa City / Summer of '83 / for Kim & Connie with / a collector's item / Prairie Lights pen / after a month [?] / & 76 Mercy [?] St Dem [?] / with affection / Bob." From the looks of the handwriting there may have been some drinking going on.
136. The Boston eagle (at home). Boston: April, 1973.
$45
First edition, 4to, [51] leaves printed from typescript on rectos only; original pictorial wrappers by Judith Walker; side-stapled; light toning, near fine.
Contributions from Lee Harwood, John Weiners, Lewis Warsh, and the editor, Corbett
137. At least. [Iowa City]: Corycian Press, 1981.
$50
Edition limited to 260 copies signed by Corman (this, no. 7 and one of 200 in Sudare Olive paper over boards); 12mo, pp. [32]; title page drawing by Ken McCullough; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
138. The license & the limit. Four poems.... Iowa City: privately printed, 1958.
$650
Edition limited to 25 copies signed by the poet (this one of 23 copies on Ticonderoga Text); 8vo, pp. [8]; text printed in red and black; light toning and and several small spots at the base of the upper cover, else fine in original printed cream wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
"Printed by JC at the State University of Iowa Typographic Laboratory."
Henri Coulette (1927-1988) was an American poet, winner of the Lamont Poetry Prize for his first regularly published book, The War of the Secret Agents and Other Poems (Scribner, 1965). He studied at the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, after which he returned to California. He spent nearly his entire career as a faculty member at California State University, Los Angeles.
Delaware only in OCLC, to which we can add Berkeley.
139. The war of the secret agents and other poems. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, [1966].
$150
First edition, 8vo, pp. 111, [1]; fine copy in original blue cloth lettered in black on spine, later state of the dust jacket (announcing the Lamont Prize) with some creases and minor breaks at the extremities. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy inscribed: "For Kim - A Royal Flush always - Henri Coulette."
Henri Coulette (1927-1988) was an American poet, and winner of the Lamont Poetry Prize for this, his first regularly published book. He studied at the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, after which he returned to California. He spent nearly his entire career as a faculty member at California State University, Los Angeles.
140. Divisions & other early poems. Mt. Horeb, WI: Perishable Press, 1968.
$500
Edition limited to 110 copies, 8vo, pp. [4], 19, [1]; unopened; original brown printed wrappers; fine. Printed on Shadwell, a paper handmade by Hamady.
This copy out-of-series, but with a note on the wrapper flap: "This is a final proof copy. It is the same as the edition save that it is not numbered. Walter Hamady." But not quite the same as it is not signed by Creeley.
Two Decades, 15.
141. Echoes. West Branch, Iowa: The Toothpaste Press, 1982.
$50
Edition limited to 2,200 copies, this no. 92 of 200 on Frankfurt White, and signed by Creeley, 12mo, pp. [20]; fine copy in bound in gray cloth-backed marbled boards, printed paper label on spine. Handset by David Duer, designed and printed by Allan Kornblum.
142. Hotel Schrieder, Heidelberg. West Branch, Iowa: Toothpaste Press, 1980.
$45
Broadside (approx. 9½" x 6"), limited to 150 copies signed by Creeley. "Printed at the Toothpaste Press, Walker Art Center, 2:21:84" on stiff mauve paper.
143. The gold diggers and other stories. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1965.
$45
8vo, pp. 158; original tan wrappers printed in red and black; spine faded, general shelf wear, else very good.
Author inscription on title page signed "Bob."
Forms part of the series Scribner First Editions.
144. Autograph poetry in the English language: Facsimiles of original manucripts from the fourteenth to the twentieth century. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1973.
$75
Limited edition of 1500 copies, 2 volumes, folio; facsimiles throughout; quarter green gilt-stamped buckram over brown boards, dust jackets and slipcase; fine.
From the blurb: "[Covering] over the period from the fourteenth century to Dylan Thomas in the twentieth, and representing 146 poets on 197 chronologically-arranged plates reproducing complete pages of manuscript. Each facsimile shows the poet engaged in composing, revising, or establishing a final text of his work."
145. Nancy Blake letters to a western cousin. New York: John Bradburn, (successor to M. Doolady) 49 Walker Street, 1864.
$50
First edition, 8vo, pp. 36; original green cloth-backed blue paper-covered boards, stamped in gilt on upper cover; rear endpaper creased at the top corner; all else very good, sound, and clean.
The book appears under at least two imprints, Sinclair Tousey being the other.
Sabin 5790 not citing an author, although Cromwell is the copyright holder..
146. One page holograph faircopy of her poem, A Tide River. n.p., n.d.: [likely Chicago], February 1, 1921.
$250
12mo, 3 stanzas of 4 lines each; integral leaf attached; signed and dated by Crow at the end; fine. On the engraved stationery of "The Autograph Collection of Howes Norris, Jr."
Martha Foote Crow (1854-1924), was American poet, writer, educator, and literary biographer, and the subject of a fairly recent book by Julia Wood Kramer, The Ever-Widening Life: The Story of Martha Foote Crow (1996).
147. [Cummington Press.] From this hill. Cummington, Massachusetts: Cummington Press, 1940-41.
$2,500
2 volumes, 8vo, pp. [22]; [20]; woodcuts by Zola Marcus and Frederick Marantz; about fine in original pictorial wrappers. Ownership stamp of Will Ransom inside the back cover of each volume noting these were purchased directly from the press in November 1941 for 75 cents each. From the library of Kim Merker.
Of the 1940 volume the University of Nebraska notes: "A collection of eleven poems and a short story, with contributions from Margaret Currier, Harry Duncan, Raphael Hayes, Harriet Anderson, Jane Gray Ward, and Samuel French Morse. Of the 217 copies of this book originally printed, 200 were destroyed by mutual agreement of the contributors." Yale, Emory, Iowa, Berea, Nebraska, Princeton, Tulsa, and Texas in OCLC.
Of the 1941 volume: "A collection of poems by Jane Gray Ward, Harry Duncan, Milton Klonsky, Barbara Howes, Elaine Gottlieb, Angelo Bruno, and David Newton, with woodcuts by Zola Marcus and Frederick Marantz, cover by Ralph Pendleton."
Richmond 2 and 5 respectively.
148. [Brown University.] Address delivered before the alumni of Brown University, Tuesday, June 20, 1882 ... Poem by Prof. T. Whiting Bancroft. Providence: Sidney S. Rider, 1882.
$75
First edition, 8vo, pp. 32; original printed brown wrappers; piece torn from the top corner of the back wrapper, spine with just a few cracks; very good.
The title of Bancroft's poem is: "Memnon, or the Youthtide."
BAL 4342
149. Long Island farmer to his lady friends [and others, as below]. Little Neck [Long Island]: August 20, 1863.
$450
Small broadside (approx. 8" x 2½"); fine.
A poem of 8 quartets thanking the ladies for a photograph album, and requesting cartes de visite from them so he "can look on each friend's face." The poet concludes with the notion that other men may also look at the ladies in the album, and that he would be kind enough to introduce them to one another. Quite typical Bloodwood Cutter.
With: Long Island Farmer on Planting Flowers in his Wife's Burial Lot. LN, NY, 1882. Small broadside, 4"x 3";
With: Long Island Farmer Musing on a Wheelbarrow. LN, NY, 1861. Small broadside, 4½" x 3½";
With: Long Island Farmer on the Burning of His Mill. LN, NY, 1889. Small broadside, 7½" x 5".
Together 4 small broadsides by Bloodgood Haviland Cutter (1817-1906), the self-styled Long Island Farmer Poet, who was immortalized by Mark Twain as the "Poet Lariat" in Innocents Abroad where is is described as "50 years old, and small for his age. He dresses in homespun, and is a simple minded, honest, old-fashioned farmer with a strange proclivity for writing rhymes. He writes them on all possible subjects and gets them printed on slips of paper with his portrait at the head. These he will give to any man that comes along, whether he has anything against him or not."
150. Memoirs of an Ismaric spear. Iowa City: Windhover Press, [1984].
$45
Edition limited to 230 copies, 8vo, pp. [52]; printed in red and black; original black cloth-backed maroon paste-paper boards, printed paper label on spine; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
Introduction by Robert Fitzgerald.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 83.
151. Winter poems. Lisbon, Iowa: The Penumbra Press, [1977].
$45
Edition limited to 125 copies (this, no. 12); square 12mo, pp. [12]; collage frontispiece, linoleum cut printed blind on the front cover; fine copy in original gray wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
"This book was made for the friends of The Penumbra Press to mark the last days of an enduring winter" (colophon).
152. Blood harvest. Woodcut by Roxanne Sexauer. Iowa City: Windhover Press, 1987.
$250
First edition limited to 200 copies, 8vo, pp. 47, [1]; full-page color woodcut; printed in red and black; fine copy in original brown cloth, printed paper label on spine. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy inscribed by Dana to Kim Merker: "For Kim / whose blood is in this / harvest / my best friend - / much love - / Robert Dana / Ia City 6.24.87."
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 90.
153. In a fugitive season. Iowa City: The Windhover Press / University of Iowa, [1979].
$50
Edition limited to 200 copies signed by Dana, 8vo, pp. [54]; original blue cloth stamped in silver on upper cover and spine; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 72.
154. In a fugitive season. Iowa City: The Windhover Press / University of Iowa, [1979].
$500
Edition limited to 200 copies signed by Dana, 8vo, pp. [54]; original blue cloth stamped in silver on upper cover and spine; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy inscribed by Dana "For Kim - Genius printer, oldest and dearest friend. Truck on!! Bob 8-2-79 Iowa City, Ia."
Merker and Dana collaborated on their respective first books issued under the Constance Press imprint in 1957. My Glass Brother was Dana's first book and it was the first book Merker set and printed.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 72.
155. Journeys from the skin. A poem in two parts. Iowa City, Iowa: The Hundred Pound Press, 1966.
$50
Edition limited to 50 copies (this, no. 7) printed by Stephen Tudor at the Typographic Laboratory, University of Iowa; 8vo, pp. [16]; printed in red and black; fine in original gray wrappers, printed paper label on upper cover. From the library of Kim Merker.
156. Summer. Tallahassee, Florida: Anhinga Press, 2000.
$75
First edition, 8vo, pp. xii, [2], 78, [4]; fine copy in a near fine dust jacket. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy signed by Dana on the title page and with an inscription from him to Kim Merker on the half-title: "For Kim - dear friend - first and best of my publishers - Bob 4.12.00."
157. The morning of the red admirals. Tallahassee, Florida: Anhinga Press, 2004.
$100
First edition, 8vo, pp. xii, 74; a fine copy in a fine dust jacket with the gold seal applied reading "Poet Laureate State of Iowa 2004 - 2006." From the library of Kim Merker.
Inscribed by Dana: "For Kim - Beloved friend, my first and best publisher. Bob." Dana has additionally inscribed the title page in full, adding the date 5-26-06.
158. What I think I know. New & select poems. Chicago: Another Chicago Press, [1991].
$50
First edition, 8vo, pp. 173, [1]; fine copy in a fine, unclipped dust jacket. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy inscribed by Dana on the half-title: "For Kim - who published my first one - and who has often sustained me since - my best wishes, Bob 9.27.91."
159. Sound to the silent. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Oriole Press [printed for the author], 1940.
$50
Edition ltd. to 50 copies (this, out of series); thin 8vo, pp. 32, [2]; printed in blue and black; original cloth-backed marbled boards, printed paper label on spine; near fine.
Ishill 77.
160. The Egyptian obelisk in Central Park, New York. [Utica?: 1894.
$75
8vo, pp. 7, [1]; self-wrappers; soiled. A poem of 14 quartets, not located bibliographically.
161. Four visitations. [West Chester, Pennsylvania]: Aralia Press, 1985.
$50
Edition limited to 240 copies designed and printed by Michael Peich in Bembo and Centaur types, 8vo, pp. [16]; fine copy in original decorative blue and gold striped pastepaper wrappers by Claire Maziarcyzk, printed paper label on upper cover. From the library of Kim Merker.
On the first leaf is printed: "One of twenty copies for review. May 1985."
162. Poems. Providence: privately printed, 1883.
$650
8vo, 21 leaves printed on rectos only, swelled by 16 blank binder's leaves to facilitate binding; likely original full brown morocco, the title and author stamped in gilt on the upper cover within a triple gilt rule; joints rubbed, some scuffing; all else very good.
A number of the poems have pencil notations, one would be tempted to say the author's own, but the book was posthumously published so the notes are likely those of a family member.
The edition size was likely quite small and done for family members only. The poems were written over a period of more than 25 years, from 1855 to 1882.
John Winthrop DeWolf (1830-1882) was born in Bristol, and educated at Brown.
Brown only in OCLC but apparently holding three copies.
163. Rhumb lines. Winona, [Minnesota]: Sutton Hoo Press, [2002].
$175
First edition limited to 136 copies printed in Bulmer types on Somerset paper; 8vo, pp. [32]; printed in blue and black; original marbled boards with exposed sewing structure; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
This is the author's first book.
164. My crazy life. A collection of poems.... [Iowa City]: The Lentil Press, 1981.
$45
Edition limited to 32 copies signed by Deligiorgis, square 16mo, pp. [28]; fine in original black wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
"All the works was done in the Journalism and Corycian Press studios."
Not found in OCLC.
165. Aerial. A collection of poetry ... Aerial images by Yvonne Jacquette (reproduced from vasrious media). New York: Eyelight Press, [1981].
$75
Edition limited to 1500 copies, small folio, pp. [3]-59, [1]; 19 black & white duotone reproductions, original color pictorial wrappers; fine. Prospectus laid in.
This copy inscribed "To Allan, in gratitude for the baked goods as well as editing Jeff and myself into such a nice sandwich. Best, Yvonne Jacquette."
Among the contributors are John Ashbury, Joe Brainard, Clark Coolidge, Kenward Elmslie, Ted Greenwald, Bernadette Mayer, Maureen Own, Frank O'Hara, Ron Padgett, and Anne Waldman, among others.
166. The only place we live. Iowa City: Prairie Press, [1966].
$85
First edition (400 copies printed), 8vo, pp. 48, [2]; 8 wood engravings by Frank Utpatel; fine copy in a slightly soiled dust jacket. From the library of Kim Merker.
Inscribed on the front free endpaper by both Derleth and Utpatel.
167. Contrée country. Twenty-five poems ... with translations by William Kulik. [Iowa City]: Windhover Press, 1994.
$50
First edition limited to 165 copies, 8vo, pp. 57, [1]; parallel text in French and English; printed in red and black on Johannot paper; original russet-backed paste-paper boards, printed paper label on spine. Fine copy, from the library of the designer and printer, Kim Merker.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker 103: "Desnos was a post-World War I surrealist poet of some importance in France. He died the day after he was freed from a concentration camp."
168. Give me all your aces. San Francisco: Lone Ranger Biology Press, 1968.
$325
First edition, 8vo, unpaged; printed from typescript; original black pictorial wrappers (a bit dusty, some soiling to back cover); general wear from handling, else very good.
Cover credits: Photos by John Fox; collage by American Beat poet Douglas Blazek; lettering by Robert (R.) Crumb; printing by Charles Plymell.
169. Tramp poems of the West. Tacoma: Cromwell Printing Company, 1891.
$125
First edition, 8vo, pp. 102; original purple cloth; title printed in yellow on front cover; photographic frontispiece of the author; 65 lithographic illustrations throughout the text; spine extremities a bit chipped; front joint cracked; otherwise very good.
Illustrations by G. La Fayette. Dedication inscription on front free endpaper dated 1893. On the verso of the contents leaf is a printed slip indicating that copies can be obtained for a dollar from DeVere & Archer of New York City.
A collection of satirical poems on small-town shenanigans, many based on real events the author witnessed and individuals he was acquainted with.
170. Pigmy unit. [San Francisco: Books Too, 1973].
$125
Edition limited to "200 first printing / twenty-five be signs," 4to, pp. [8]; self-wrappers; near fine.
"DeVore was a founding member of The Charlatans, San Francisco's first psychedelic rock band. His jazz training emerged in earnest with his second project, Pygmy Unit, whose album "Signals from Earth" remains a holy grail of California weirdness and a radical precursor to Jon Hassell's "fourth world" aesthetics" (goatytapes.bandcamp.com).
171. A selection of poems by Helen Hunt Jackson & Emily Dickinson. [Colorado Springs]: The Hulbert Center Press / The Press at Colorado College, [1990].
$150
Edition limited to 170 copies (this, no. 28); pp. [28]; decorative headpieces; original olive cloth-backed hand-made paper-covered boards, printed title on upper cover. Fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
Designed and printed by Jim Trissel on paper made by Tom Leech. Typeset by Brian Molanphy and Gwyn Mauritz. Headpieces printed from photoengravings by Charles Moore. Made possible by a grant from the Women's Educational Society. Foreword by Joe Gordon.
172. Max. [Iowa City, Iowa]: Body Press, 1969.
$45
First edition of DiPalma's first book, 8vo, pp. [30]; fine copy in original mustard wrappers lettered in red and black.
This copy inscribed on the rear endpaper: "For Allan, Ray DiPalma 20 April 73."
173. Highway sandwiches. [N.p.: publisher not identified, 1970].
$300
First edition, 8vo, pp. [18]; original pictorial wrappers; some toning, but very good or better. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
This copy with Kornblum's ownership signature, and a presentation from Disch: "For Allan, where the journey started, in NYC. Thomas M. Disch."
174. The tale of Dan De Lion ... Drawings by Rhoda McClun. Minneapolis: Evening Coffee Editions, January, 1986.
$50
Limited edition of an unspecified quantity made "as part of a class at Minnesota Center for Book Arts," pp. [28] frenchfold; title page printed in red and black; 13 hand-colored illustrations; fine in stab-sewn hand-made paper wrappers, printed paper label on the upper cover.
This edition preceded the hardbound trade edition published under the Coffee House Press imprint.
175. Haikus of an AmPart. Illustrations by Ann Mikolowski. Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, 1991.
$125
Edition limited to 300 copies (this, no. 8), designed by Allan Kornblum and signed by Disch and Mikolowski; square 12mo, pp. [20]; 3 illustrations by Mikolowski; fine in original pictorial beige wrappers with another image by Mikolowski. Issued as Morning Coffee Chapbook 30.
Haiku written on an eye-opening trip to India, Pakistan, and Israel.
176. City ways and company street. New York: Moffat, Yard & Co., 1918.
$100
First edition, small 8vo, pp. [14], 64; original brown paper-covered boards, printed paper spine and cover labels, dust-jacket; discoloring to endpapers, a few leaves including title-page foxed, some small chips and creases at jacket edges, else very good.
Divine, who was in the 27th Division U.S.A. and who fashioned himself a soldier poet, was previously on the New York Sun's reportorial staff.
177. A poem delivered at the commencement of Rhode-Island College, September 6, A.D. 1797. Providence: printed by Carter and Wilkinson, and sold at their Book-store, opposite the Market, 1797.
$250
First edition, 8vo, pp. 8; later half red morocco over red cloth, lettered in gilt on upper cover, gilt-decorated spine; lightly scuffed, top corner of title page with old infill, else near fine.
Alden 1530; Bartlett, p. 48; Evans; 32058; Wegelin 122.
178. O'Ryan's belt. Eleven poems 1990-1991. Madison: Silver Buckle Press, University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries, [1991].
$375
First edition limited to 70 copies signed by the poet, this one of 30 on Twinrocker handmade paper (this, no. 5); 8vo, pp. [26]; two fold-out die-cut illustrations designed by Marta Gomez, and the whole handbound by Tracy Honn; typography, setting and artwork by Barbara Tetenbaum; fine copy. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
179. Serena's speaker. Poems by.... Miami, Florida: Pandanus Press, [1958].
$200
Edition limited to 220 copies "designed, set by hand and printed by Preston H. Dettman," 8vo, pp. [14; title page printed in red and black; woodcut on title by the poet; original tan printed wrappers, printed paper label on the upper cover; a very good copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy inscribed "For Kim and 'the peasant,' Laurence Donovan."
"Laurence Donovan was a poet, artist, and English professor at the University of Miami, and was prominent in the Coconut Grove art scene in the 1960s ... His artwork was featured in numerous exhibitions and it was frequently published, sometimes accompanying his literary work" (University of Miami Special Collections). Donovan also studied at Iowa for a year in 1957 which accounts for him knowing Merker.
Five in OCLC: Buffalo, Florida State, University of Miami, Brown and Rollins College.
180. Recollections of Gran Apacheria. San Franciso: Turtle Island, 1974.
$45
First edition, hardbound issue; large 8vo, pp. [44]; fine in original pictorial boards with a design by Michael Myers. Dedicated to Robert Creeley. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded the Toothpaste Press and Coffee House Press.
181. The cosmology of finding your spot. [Lawrence, Kansas?]: Cottonwood, 1969.
$175
First edition, broadside (approx. 432 x 279 mm.); long poem printed in wavy formation; previous fold, a few soil spots, else very good.
"Presented April 10, 1969 at the United Campus Christian Fellowship benefit reading for the draft registers league."
182. The North Atlantic turbine. London: Fulcrum Press, [1967].
$50
First edition, 8vo, pp. 64; chart endpapers, 2 screenprints of the author by Ron Kitaj; fine copy in original gray cloth, gilt lettering and spine, and a near fine, unclipped dust jacket. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
183. [Dorr Rebellion.] Ballads of the Dorr War; collected from the papers of the day, to which is added an epigram never before printed. Providence: Sidney S. Rider & Brother (printed for private distribution), 1869.
$350
"Of this pamphlet only twenty-five copies are printed, all of this size; two of which are on blue paper" (this one of 23 on regular paper); slim 8vo, pp. 37, [3]; printed on rectos only; contemporary half blue straight-grain blue goat, gilt-lettered direct on spine; lightly rubbed, else near fine.
The final, unpublished epigram is slightly ribald. Eleven copies in OCLC.
184. [Dorr Rebellion.] Siege at Chepach(et). [Providence?: publisher not identified, 1842.]
$200
First edition, 8vo, pp. 8; original pictorial wrappers torn, with about one-quarter missing, affecting 2 letters in the title and the typographic border; front wrapper soiled, moderate foxing.
"This book is dedicated to the three tail bashaw of Tripoli, and all the Barbary powers, by Roger O. Dogerty, alias, Peter Madicanscutter."
A marvelous long and knowledgeable account of the Dorr Rebellion in verse, in support of the Dorrite reformers, pointing out rule by foreign edict. Rhode Island is still ruled by privileges accorded the Legislature by the Royal Charter of 1663, according to the majority of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, which declared the Rhode Island political system to be an "essential parliamentary form of government."
Not in American Imprints; Sabin 80868.
185. An alphabet. Poems ... with initials by Teresa McNeil. Ithaca, NY: Alembic Press, 1979.
$150
Review copy of the first edition of Doty's first book, limited to 600 copies, 8vo, pp. [48]; initials printed in red; review slip from the Alembic Press laid in; light toning, especially on back cover; all else near fine.
186. An island sheaf. New York: Dim Gray Bar Press, 1998.
$75
Edition limited to 125 copies, this the bookbinder Greg Campbell's copy, Campbell-Logan Bindery, and out-of-series; narrow 8vo, pp. [28]; quarter faux vellum, gilt-stamped spine, decorative paper over boards; fine.
A nicely presented book of poetry from the recipient of the 2008 National Book Award.
187. Fire to fire. Poems ... Woodcuts by Lisa Schoenfielder. Winona & Stockton: Sutton Hoo Press, 2004.
$500
Edition limited to 160 copies "plus proofs," signed by Doty and Schoenfielder; folio, pp. 48, [4]; 6 woodcuts by Schoenfielder; original mustard Japanese cloth, printed paper labels on spine and upper cover; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
Doty's Fire to Fire: New and Selected Poems as published by Harper Perennial in 2008, where was collected the best of Mark Doty's seven books of poetry, along with a generous selection of new work, won the National Book Award for Poetry.
188. Seascape with figures. Iowa City: The Prairie Press, [1967].
$45
First edition ltd. to 600 copies, 8vo, pp. [8], 32, [1]; fine copy in the jacket.
Cheever-Wulling 159.
189. For witches. Poems ... Illustrations by Jacob Drachler. Madison: Black Mesa Press, 1982.
$75
Copy no. 96 of an unspecified limited edition; 8vo, pp. [18], 1 folding; printed in red and black from Garamond on undampened Black Hollow paper by Alison Circle and Charles Alexander; original pictorial mauve wrappers; fine. Original prospectus laid in. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
190. [Drake, Joseph Rodman.] The life and works of Joseph Rodman Drake (1795-1820). A memoir and complete text of his poems & prose including much never before printed. Boston: printed for the author by the Merrymount Press, 1935.
$150
Edition limited to 750 copies printed by Daniel Berkeley Updike, The Merrymount Press; 8vo, pp. xviii, [2], 424, [2]; frontispiece portrait and 16 plates; original light brown cloth, printed paper label on spine; evidence of bookplate removed, else very good and sound.
This copy with a lengthy presentation by Pleadwell to Margaret Millicent Hunt Heaton "who will find a kinship in this book ... and derive some moments of pleasure from a perusal of its pages," signed in full and dated Honolulu, Christmas, 1839.
191. The culprit Fay and other poems. New York: [Gillis Press], 1923.
$50
Edition limited to 300 copies, slim 8vo, pp. xv-[xvi], 49-[50]; gravure frontis portrait, 2 gravure plates after watercolors by E.E. Winchell; orig. paper vellum-backed boards, spine soiled, extremities a little rubbed; very good. One in a series of six books done by eminent American printers especially commissioned by the Grolier Club.
192. Fire in the wax museum. [Colorado Springs]: The Press at Colorado College, [1980].
$250
Edition limited to 150 numbered copies (this, no. 29) signed by Drury, folio, pp. [30] with 5 leaves folding; color silkscreen illustrations throughout; fine in original cream blindstamped wrappers printed in red and black, postbound. From the library of Kim Merker.
193. New poems and a play. Philadelphia: Patterson & White,, 1914.
$50
First edition, small 8vo, pp. [2], 7-112; original green cloth, gilt stamped cover and spine, t.e.g., library stamp on verso of title, owner's inscription on front paste-down, presentation on front free endpaper; a very good copy.
194. Diary of a mad hatter. [New York: Yowsah--Yowsah--Yowsah, 1978].
$50
First edition, 8vo, pp. [28]; printed from typescript; $2 price in ink at top corner of first page, lightly toned, else fine in original pictorial wrappers with a drawing by the author. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
This copy inscribed by Dubelyew: "Dear Allan and Cinda - In the incredible edible crux of our acquaintance ship gurgling down the sink to encounter an alternative nature. Love Didi, alias Jesus Christ Wright."
Yale only in OCLC.
195. Luna Tack no. IV. Iowa City: Dog Hair Press, 1983.
$65
11" x 8½", pp. 44; printed from typescript; cover by Jim Becker, 5 full-page illustrations from photographs by Jean Graham, Jim Becker, and Buzz Masters; near fine.
Contributions by Paul Metcalf, Ray A. Young Bear, Paul Hoover, Cid Corman, Maxine Chernoff, and Steven LaVoie, among others.
Not found in OCLC.
196. Luna Tack no. 5/6. Iowa City: Dog Hair Press, 1984.
$75
11" x 8½", pp. 80; printed from typescript; 10 full-page illustrations from photographs by Marla Bailey, Anne Gochenour, Stavros Deligiorgis, and Buzz Masters; near fine.
Contributions by Anselm Hollo, Clark Coolidge, David Romtvedt, John Brandi, Georg Trakl, Lon Otto, and Steven LaVoie, among others.
Not found in OCLC.
197. The Cosmopolitan Art Association illustrated catalogue 1854 [wrapper title]. The new cosmopolitan art and literary association for the encouragement and general diffusioin of literature and the fine arts [drop title]. New York: W. H. Tinson, stereotyper; John A. Gray, printer, [1854].
$125
First edition, BAL's printing 'B' (no sequence determined); 8vo, pp. 31, [1]; extensively illustrated with wood engravings, largely of statuary; original pictoirial self-wrappers; some wear and a few stains, else very good. BAL 4875, for a poem by Duganne on Power's famed statue, Greek Slave, a poem not collected until the following year.
198. A garland for Harry Duncan. Austin: W. Thomas Taylor, 1989.
$250
Edition ltd. to 530 copies, this one of 30 specially bound copies on T H Saunders mouldmade paper; 8vo, pp. [10], 96, [10]; title printed in red and black; fine in original brown morocco-backed linen-covered boards, gilt lettering on spine. From the library of Kim Merker.
A collection of poems in honor of Duncan, by fifty-eight poets whose poetry have been published by Duncan, including those by Hayden Carruth, Richard Eberhart, James Merrill, Richard Wilbur and Phillip Gallo, among many others.
199. Final version of Monodies. [Santa Rosa, Las Joyas, Tacámbaro, Michoacán, Mexico]: Taller Martín Pescador, 1997].
$75
Edition limited to 200 copies printed for family and friends from Spectrum type and a zinc plate of Wightman William's drawing, printed on the first page, on Biblos Gvarro paper; bifolium (approx. 10½" x 7½"); printed in red and black; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
New York Public and the Huntington only in OCLC.
200. The inner tympan: the collected verse and prose of Harry Duncan. [Compiled by Juan Pascoe]. [Tacámbaro, Mexico]: Taller Martin Pescador, 2005.
$850
Edition limited to 30 copies, (seven on Zerkall-Bütten paper and twenty-three on Fabria) were printed with an ML-1430 Samsung laser printer by Jesús Ramírez Ortiz, each two-page 'impression' of which had to be spooled, as the machine would not accept the production of multiple copies. Martín Urbina Suárez folded, punched and sewed the pages, and Tomás Urbina Suárez bound them in DePonte paper" (colophon). 8vo, pp. 335, [1]; 2 tipped in photographs; the printing is a little wonky in places but this is generally a fine copy in original red paper-covered boards. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy specially made for Merker, with "this copy for K. K. Merker" in type at the end of the colophon, and a specially printed slip with Merker's name laid in.
"The Inner Tympan brings together every published piece of Duncan’s writing that could be found, and constitutes thus a self-portrait; not one consciously planned, certainly not one he helped to gather, but neither is it one he would have rejected" (John Ridland).