401. Twenty-six poems. n.p.: privately printed, 2009.
$45
Edition limited to 100 copies printed by Michael & Winifred Bixler, this the bookbinder Greg Campbell's copy, Campbell-Logan Bindery, not signed, and marked 'binder's copy" in pencil on the colophon; slim 8vo, pp. [6], 11-43, [3]; title page printed in red and black; original green cloth, title blindstamped on upper cover, printed paper label on spine; fine. Designed by Howard I. Gralla, New Haven.
402. Five lost poems. With an engraving by Barry Moser. Iowa City: Windhover Press, [1995].
$85
Edition limited to 250 copies, 8vo, pp. [18]; die-cut title page revealing part of the full-page wood engraving by Moser; fine in original blue paper wrappers. Bound by Larry Yerkes in a limp cover of Timothy Barrett's blue flax paper. From the library of Kim Merker.
Introduction by James Reidel.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 105: "Barry Moser as an act of kindness agreed to do an engraving for the book. I sent him a number of photographs of Kees and he came up with a three-part image ... each part of which carries a different part of Kees's face from a different photograph."
Gillane & Niemi A.I.21.
403. [Kees, Weldon.] Sequoia ... Weldon Kees issue. Stanford: Stanford University, 1979.
$45
8vo, pp. 48; full-page portrait of Kees; errata slip pasted inside upper cover; fine copy in original pictorial wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
Contributors include Donald Justice, Dana Gioia, Ted Gioia, and others.
404. Poems 1947 - 1954. San Francisco: Adrian Wilson, 1954.
$650
First edition, 8vo, pp. [12], 15-82, [2]; title page printed in red and black; brown cloth-backed paste-paper-covered boards, printed paper label on spine, publisher's bellyband printed in red (wrinkled and with a tear along the spine); the book is fine throughout. From the library of Kim Merker.
This is the first book to be issued under the Adrian Wilson / San Francisco imprint.
Gillane & Niemi A.I.3
405. The collected poems. Edited by Donald Justice. Iowa City: Stone Wall Press, 1960.
$1,250
Edition limited to 200 copies, copies 1-180 are printed on Rives Light, nos. I-XX are printed on Rives Heavy; this is copy no. 69 and printed on Rives Light; 8vo, pp. 140, [4]; title page printed in red and black; original morocco-backed Japanese paper over boards, spine stamped in gilt, upper cover with blindstamped initials; corners slightly bumped, else a fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
Containing the poems "The Last Man," "The Fall of the Magicians," Poems: 1947-1954, and Uncollected Poems.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 8: "[W]e agreed to do it having no idea what we were getting into. This is probably the longest book I've ever done on the handpress."
Gillane & Niemi A.I.5.
406. The collected poems. Edited by Donald Justice. Iowa City: Stone Wall Press, 1960.
$950
Edition limited to 200 copies, copies 1-180 are printed on Rives Light, nos. I-XX are printed on Rives Heavy; this is "one of 15 reviewer's proofs printed on Alexandra Japan. It includes one signature printed on Rives Light." 8vo, pp. 140, [4]; 4 duplicate preliminary leaves bound in at the back; title page printed in red and black; original tan wrappers, unadorned; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 8: "[W]e agreed to do it having no idea what we were getting into. This is probably the longest book I've ever done on the handpress."
Gillane & Niemi A.I.5.
407. The fall of the magicians. New York: Reynall & Hitchcock, [1947].
$150
First edition of the author's first commercially published book, 8vo, pp. [8], 55, [1]; publisher's tan cloth lettered in green on upper cover and spine, lacking the dust jacket; some spotting to the covers, some toning of the text; a good sound copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
Merker himself published Kees's Collected Poems at the Stone Wall Press in 1960. In this copy there are a number of light pencil annotations, almost certainly by Merker, used in preparation of that edition.
408. Two prose sketches. Introduction by Dana Gioia. [West Chester, Pennsylvania]: Aralia Press, 1984.
$125
Edition limited to 280 copies, 8vo, pp. [26]; frontispiece portrait after a wood engraving by Michael McCurdy; title page printed in red and black; fine copy in original printed brown wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
This is the third Aralia Press imprint.
Of this edition the first 40 copies were casebound and signed by McCurdy and Gioia. This copy is "one of sixteen for review" as printed on the colophon, in brown Fabriano wrappers, not signed.
Gillane & Niemi A.I.13.
409. Two prose sketches. Introduction by Dana Gioia. [West Chester, Pennsylvania]: Aralia Press, 1984.
$275
Edition limited to 280 copies, 8vo, pp. [26]; frontispiece portrait after a wood engraving by Michael McCurdy; title page printed in red and black; fine copy in original red cloth-backed decorative paper-covered boards specially made for this edition by Claire Mazciarcek, and signed by Gioia and McCurdy on the colophon. From the library of Kim Merker.
This is the third Aralia Press imprint.
Of this edition the first 40 copies were casebound and signed by McCurdy and Gioia. This copy is unnumbered but specially "for Kim Merker" as printed on the colophon. The extra copy of McCurdy's engraving is not present in this copy.
Gillane & Niemi A.I.13.
410. Two prose sketches. Introduction by Dana Gioia. [West Chester, Pennsylvania]: Aralia Press, 1984.
$85
Edition limited to 280 copies (this, no. 80), 8vo, pp. [26]; frontispiece portrait after a wood engraving by Michael McCurdy; title page printed in red and black; fine copy in original printed brown wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
This is the third Aralia Press imprint.
Of this edition the first 40 copies were casebound and signed by McCurdy and Gioia.
Gillane & Niemi A.I.13.
411. Weldon Kees: a 'New Yorker' experience. [West Chester, Pa.: Aralia Press], 1988.
$100
Edition limited to 200 copies, tall, narrow bifolium (approx. 13½" x 6"), bearing an engraving of Kees on the front from Michael McCurdy's wood engraving.
A keepsake, printed by Michael Peich on Rives Heavy, excerpted from Kees' letter to Maurice Johnson, printed in honor of a reading of Kees' poetry by Donald Justice and Dana Gioia, October, 1988. Signed by Justice and Gioia.
The subject of the letter is Kees' poem "The Caterpillar & The Men from Cambridge."
Gillane & Niemi A.I.18.
412. The skull. North Carolina, 1961. [Colorado Springs]: The Press at Colorado College, 1998.
$175
Edition limited to 90 copies signed by Keller and the printer, Jim Trissel (this, no. 23); 8vo, pp. [24]; frontispiece portrait and 4 full-page photographic illustrations; fine copy in original taupe cloth stamped in gilt on upper cover; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
"This book is the first in a series to be edited by Dana Gioia ... presented with the kind of beauty and economy found in the books of Harry Duncan and Kim Merker ... [It] is the product of three persons, James Trissel, Molly Erdely, and Jessica Feis. It was designed, the type handset, printed and bound during the academic year 1997-98 in an edition of ninety copies. It was printed on a Hahnnemuhle [sic] Biblio mouldmade paper. Most of the type is monotype Spectrum. The photographs are Johanna Keller's and were printed for us by Kim Casey and Jeri Scott of the Colorado College Printing Shop" (colophon).
Finalist, Nimrod-Hardman Poetry Award, 1997.
413. Devotions. [Annandale-on-Hudson, NY]: Salitter Books, 1967.
$50
First edition, 8vo, pp. 23; text printed from typescript; original staplebound pictorial self-wrappers (some soiling); edges toned, else very good.
Salitter no. 1. "The present selection contains ten poems from a series of Devotions composed in April, May & June of 1965" - title page verso.
414. Nursery crimes. Five variations on Mother Goose. Illustrated by Ellen Heywood. Iowa City: Elwood Press, 1969.
$125
Edition limited to 35 copies (this, no. 8), signed by Kelly and Heywood; 16mo, pp. [12]; 5 full-page linocuts; fine in original pictorial tan printed wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
Iowa only in OCLC.
415. Zebra. The O: and converbs of Yosef Kelly. Iowa City: Eppy-junior Press, 1966.
$75
Edition limited to 50 copies printed at the Typographic Laboratory at the University of Iowa School of Journalism; 8vo, pp. [30]; original brown printed wrappers slightly spotted, else fine.
"To Harry Duncan, my reverent thanks" (colophon).
Alabama and Wisconsin only in OCLC.
416. Kenny's. Twenty poems for a lost tavern. Foreword by William Murray. Iowa City: Windhover Press, [1970].
$1,250
Edition limited to 250 copies, 8vo, pp. [48]; original black cloth-backed blue paper-covered boards lettered in gilt on the upper cover; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
In most (all?) copies the last paragraph of Murray's Foreword on p. [9] has been excised as the result of a legal action by Kenny's landlady - see below. In this copy it is not and the text is present in full.
Among the contributing poets are Robert Dana, George P. Elliott, Paul Engle, Anselm Hollo, Donald Justice, Philip Levine, William Stafford, Mark Strand, James Tate, and others. "Kenny's was a wonderful tavern in Iowa City where, when I first came here, all of the Workshop people went." The libelous line which Merker was obliged to remove, concerned the clientele at Kenny's as seen through the eyes of the landlady.
Berger, Printing & the Mind of Merker, 41: "Each copy was issued with a paper band (not present here) around the book saying: 'For legal reasons a paragraph has been excised from the introduction.' Pages 9/10 have a rectangular paragraph sliced neatly out'." In most copies this excised text was pasted over with Curtis Rag paper.
417. Kenny's. Twenty poems for a lost tavern. Foreword by William Murray. Iowa City: Windhover Press, [1970].
$950
Edition limited to 250 copies, 8vo, pp. [48]; original black cloth-backed blue paper-covered boards lettered in gilt on the upper cover; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
The last paragraph of Murray's Foreword on p. [9] has been excised as the result of a legal action by Kenny's landlady - see below.
This copy inscribed "For Kim Merker / with love and / appreciation / Irene."
Irene ran Kenny's, a local tavern. She is described at length by Murray as "a mysterious woman. You never knew whether to like her a lot and adopt her as your Muse, or to dislike her because she had to be tough with customers on occasion. She was a short, plump woman who wore horn-rimmed glasses. If she liked you, she liked you a lot, and showed it by playing verbal games with you. If she disliked you, she ignored you."
Among the contributing poets are Robert Dana, George P. Elliott, Paul Engle, Anselm Hollo, Donald Justice, Philip Levine, William Stafford, Mark Strand, James Tate, and others. "Kenny's was a wonderful tavern in Iowa City where, when I first came here, all of the Workshop people went." The libelous line which Merker was obliged to remove, concerned the clientele at Kenny's as seen through the eyes of the landlady who upped the rent so much that Irene was forced to close the tavern.
Berger, Printing & the Mind of Merker, 41: "Each copy was issued with a paper band (present here, and laid in) around the book saying: 'For legal reasons a paragraph has been excised from the introduction.' Pages 9/10 have a rectangular paragraph sliced neatly out'." In most copies this excised text was pasted over with Curtis Rag paper. In this - Merker's copy - there is no Curtis Rag, only the hole.
418. Kenny's. Twenty poems for a lost tavern. Foreword by William Murray. Iowa City: Windhover Press, [1970].
$65
Edition limited to 250 copies, 8vo, pp. [48]; original black cloth-backed blue paper-covered boards lettered in gilt on the upper cover; covers with a few small spots, and lightly toned at the edges, else very good, sound, and clean. From the library of Kim Merker.
The last paragraph of Murray's Foreword on p. [9] has been excised as the result of a legal action by Kenny's landlady - see below. Among the contributing poets are Robert Dana, George P. Elliott, Paul Engle, Anselm Hollo, Donald Justice, Philip Levine, William Stafford, Mark Strand, James Tate, and others. "Kenny's was a wonderful tavern in Iowa City where, when I first came here, all of the Workshop people went." The libelous line which Merker was obliged to remove, concerned the clientele at Kenny's as seen through the eyes of the landlady.
Berger, Printing & the Mind of Merker, 41: "Each copy was issued with a paper band (not present here) around the book saying: 'For legal reasons a paragraph has been excised from the introduction.' Pages 9/10 have a rectangular paragraph sliced neatly out'." In most copies this excised text was pasted over with Curtis Rag paper. In this - Merker's copy - there is no Curtis Rag, only the hole.
419. Telephone call. [West Branch, Iowa]: Toothpaste Press, 1982.
$75
Letterpress broadside, edition limited to 70 numbered copies (this, marked 'os' - out-of-series?), approx. 13½" x 10¼", printed in black and hand-colored in red and green; printed on the occasion of the author's reading at the Walker Art Center, November 4, 1982. This copy boldly signed by Kenny.
Yale and Simon Fraser University only in only in OCLC. Also included in the Bookslinger Twenty-one Broadsides portfolio, 1982-83.
420. Asparagus, asparagus, ah sweet asparagus: poems & drawings. West Branch, Iowa: The Toothpaste Press, 1981.
$50
Edition limited to 1150 copies, this one of 100 copies bound in cloth and signed by the author, 12mo, pp. 47, [1]; 5 illustrations by the author; fine copy in original green cloth, printed paper label on spine; handset by Ellen Weiss, designed and printed by Allan Kornblum, bound by Constance Sayre.
Peich 61.
421. The cat approaches ... Drawings by Brenda Kicknosway. Grindstone City: The Alternative Press, [1978].
$125
Edition limited to 600 copies paperbound, 150 bound in boards, and 26 lettered copies bound by hand, and signed and numbered by the artist and the writer, of which this is letter 'Y', signed by Kicknosway and Goodman. 8vo, pp. [44]; fine in original gray pictorial boards stamped in red and black.
422. Poems. Albany: J. Munsell, 1858.
$75
First edition, 16mo (approx. 5½" x 4"), pp. viii, 139, [1]; original drab printed wrappers, spine partially perished, corners curled; all else very good.
Contains a long poem on temperance, and others on Indians, slavery, William Walker (of Nicaragua fame), etc.
423. The poets' tributes to Garfield. A collection of many memorial poems. With portrait and biography. Cambridge, Mass.: Published by Moses King, 1882.
$75
8vo, pp. [5], 4-168; original purple cloth stamped in gilt; a.e.g.; spine extremities and corners scuffed; otherwise very good.
Ownership inscription of Mary F. Wolcott on front free endpaper.
A collection of 160 poems dedicated to the late President Garfield. Submissions were received from applicants throughout the United States and Europe. Among the contributors were Oliver Wendell Holmes, Julia Ward Howe, and Joaquin Miller.
See BAL IV, p. 332.
424. Two poems ... with Barry Moser's wood engravings and all else by Red Ozier Press for our friends this joyous New Year of 1981. .
$125
16mo, pp. [8]; title page printed in red, green and black, with a wood-engraved border by Moser; fine in original tan printed wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
Inscribed to Merker by Steve Miller, proprietor of the Red Ozier Press: "To Kim, with admiration, from Steve Miller, Christmastime, 1980."
425. Lessons for our time. [Minneapolis: Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 2012].
$75
"Chapbook edition" limited to 300 copies (this, copy no. 173); there was also a "deluxe edition" of 26 copies in a binding by Jana Pullman; approx. 8½" x 5½", pp. [62]; illustrations by Anna Boyer; original mauve paper wrappers with blindstamped design; fine.
"Lessons for Our Time is a contemporary artist's book inspired by the medieval tradition of the Book of Hours. It becomes the twenty-second in MCBA's perennial series celebrating the handmade book. Produced in a unique collaboration with the vocal ensemble Cantus, the book includes texts by Elena Cisneros, Emily Dickinson, Saymoukda Vongsay, Walt Whitman, Louise Erdrich, James Baldwin, Tomas Tranströmer, Louis Jenkins, Joy Harjo, Thomas McGrath, Paul Gruchow and others, edited by Patricia Kirkpatrick." (MCBA).
426. Learning to read. Three poems.... San Francisco: Meadow Press, 1982.
$50
First edition limited to 100 copies signed by Kirkpatrick and McLellan (this, no. 26); square 12mo, pp. [12] frenchfold; original maroon cloth-backed printed pastepaper boards; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
"Printing, binding, paste paper and illustration by Leigh McLellan." Original prospectus laid in.
427. Circular stairs, distress in the mirrors. Marlboro, Vermont: Griffin Press, 1975.
$250
Edition limited to 250 copies signed by the author (this, no. VIII and one of ten copies on Rives Heavy), 8vo, pp. [8], 35, [3]; printed in red and black; the 3 illustrations are taken from a drawing by Pieter Brueghel the Elder; fine copy in original cream cloth, printed paper label on spine. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy with a printed presentation slip laid in from the Griffin Press, personalized with the following inscription: "For Kim, with deepest thanks for all your help, material, and spiritual that helped make this book be. T" (i.e. T. Hunter Wilson, printer and proprietor of the Griffin Press).
Prospectus laid in. There was a later photo-offset printing in wrappers.
428. Some poems ... translated by Anselm Hollo. Lowestoft, Sussex: Scorpion Press, [1962].
$75
First edition, small 8vo, pp. 35, [1]; fine copy in original red cloth, dust jacket with several shallow tears at the edges.
Klee's poems were not discovered until after his death in 1940. They were found in his notebook and diary and it is from these that Hollo has selected and translated them. "Apart from the interest these texts have as commentaries and sidelights on Klee's painting, they have had considerable influence on post-war German poetry" (Hollo, in his introductory note).
With the ownership signature of "Darrell Gray / August 24, 69 / Iowa City" - Gray, the founder of the Actualist Movement in Iowa City, and a solitary voice in American poetry until his tragic death in 1986.
429. Belly song and other poems. Detroit: Broadside Press, [1973].
$75
First edition, first printing, 8vo, pp. 62, [2]; yellow pictorial paper wrappers; fine. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
Knight first rose to prominence as a poet while in prison. “His work became important in Afro-American poetry and poetics and in the strain of Anglo-American poetry descended from Walt Whitman” (Dictionary of Literary Biography). Belly song was nominated for the Pulitzer and National Book Award.
430. Manuscript notebook: "The March of Mind. A "thing" design'd to be "mouth'd" Commencement Day (So it favor find and the fates be kind,) by its maker, "J. P. K.". [Providence?: 1836].
$500
Small 4to, 20 leaves in all, in ink; very good and legible, but the notebook itself with covers loose and chipped. A note inside the front wrapper reads: "To the reader - The first four leaves do not belong to the piece as delivered. The reader will therefore begin at the fifth leaf. After reading from the fifth leaf onward, he may if he choose read the first four. They belong to the first edition, which proved too long, for the occasion."
The occasion was apparently commencement day for the Brown University class of 1836, of which Knowles was a member. It was Knowles, apparently, who composed and read the class poem that day, and which according to a faint pencil note, was published in July, 1836. (Of this, we found no record.) A note in a later hand at the bottom of the first leaf reads: "John Power Knowles, Judge of the United States District Court of Rhode Island 1870-1881. He was an accomplished versifier and writer and was cousin of Rev. James D. Knowles of Boston who wrote "An Addition to Gray's 'Eulogy in a County Churchyard'."
Laid in on 16 small octavo sheets is another of his poetical manuscripts, "Read before the Brother's Society, May 9th, 1835." And, tipped in at the back is an "Assignment of Parts for Com[mencement]." listing 22 students by name with assignments for "Valedictory," "Salutatory," "The Oration," etc., the Assignment torn at folds and miscreased, but without loss of any letters.
431. The queen of snakes ... with three etchings by John Thein. Omaha: Abattoir Editions, University of Nebraska, 1978.
$325
Edition limited to 208 copies (this, no. XIX of XLIII on paper from the Wookey Hole Mill and with 3 signed intaglio etchings in color by John Thein), 8vo, pp. 109, [3]; original black cloth stamped in blind on upper cover; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
432. Excerpts from David Knudsen, selected by the author, George P. Elliott. Iowa City: Stone Wall Press, 1960.
$75
Edition limited to 150 numbered copies signed by Elliott (this, no. 116); oblong 8vo, pp [4]; double-fold; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, A1: David Knudsen and Gardening (Merker A2) were preliminary tests for the [Collected Poems of Weldon Kees]. I'm not sure what I learned but that was the reason for them. I used them as gifts to people who were buying books from the press."
433. Woman's will: a love play in five acts, with other poems. Buffalo: Moulton, Wenborne & Co., 1888.
$135
12mo, pp. [8], 65, [1]; original cream wrappers printed in gilt; spine a little cracked and slight toning; very good.
Koopman (1860-1937) was a native of Maine and worked briefly at the Astor Library, Cornell University as a cataloguer, and also in the libraries of Columbia, Rutgers and the University of Vermont. He found a home, however, at Brown University where for 37 years he was the chief librarian on who's watch the collections increased five-fold, and was built the John Hay Library (see Mitchell, Encyclopedia Brunoniana). This is likely his third book, preceded only by an ode to Farragut entitled The Great Admiral which was published in 1883, and a memorial to his cousin, Ellen S. Koopman, published in 13 pages in 1885.
434. The blizzard voices. Minneapolis: Bieler Press, 1986.
$325
First edition limited to 200 copies signed by the author and the illustrator, Tom Pohrt (this, no. 62), the whole designed and printed by Gerald Lange; 12 line drawings in the text printed in blue, laminated blue hand-made paper-covered boards, paper label on spine; fine copy.
The text is based on the reminiscences of those men and women who witnessed the great blizzard of January 12, 1888 in Nebraska. AIGA Book of the Year award winner.
Smith, Bieler, 43.
435. Toothpaste 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7. Iowa City, Iowa: Toothpaste Press, 1971-72.
$225
6 volumes in all, including the variant cover on no. 6; 11" x 8½", printed from typescript on rectos only in nos. 3, 4, and 5; side-stapled original pictorial wrappers. Contributions by a host of writers, including Alice Notley, Maureen Owen, Ed Dorn, Pablo Neruda, Steve Toth, Tom Veitch, Andrei Codrescu, Ted Berrigan, Clark Coolidge, Curtis Faville, Tom Raworth, Paul Violi, Anselm Hollo, Dave Morice, Gerard Malanga, and many others. Cover art by Allan Kornblum, Colin Andre, Jim Fink, Dave Morice, and others. A very good to fine set, lacking nos. 1 and 2.
436. Awkward Song. West Branch, Iowa: Toothpaste Press, July, 1980.
$55
Edition limited to 1150 copies, this being one of 150 copies numbered (this, no. 84) and signed by the author; 8vo, pp. [7], 10-57, [1]; fine in original terracotta cloth, printed paper label on spine. Bifoliate Toothpaste catalogue laid in.
437. Printer's song. [West Branch, Iowa]: Toothpaste Press for Bookslinger Editions, 1982.
$50
Letterpress broadside, edition limited to 70 numbered copies (this, marked 'os' - out-of-series?), approx. 10½" x 14¼", printed in black and blind; printed on the occasion of the author's reading at the Walker Art Center, May 5, 1982. This copy boldly signed by Kornblum.
Denver only in OCLC. Also included in the Bookslinger Twenty Broadsides portfolio, 1981-82.
438. Sweet little sixteen (music poems). Chicago: The Yellow Press, 1973.
$125
First edition limited to 250 copies, 4to, 11" x 8½", [26] leaves printed from typescript on rectos only on pink paper; near fine in original pictorial wrappers, side-stapled. Red star sticker and rubber stamp on the front wrap, as issued. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
Inscribed in red ink on the title page underneath Kostakis's name: "For Allan Kornblum."
439. Little boat lighter than a cork ... pictures by Esther Gilman. Connecticut: Magic Circle Press, in association with Walker and Company, New York, [1976].
$125
First edition, 16mo, pp. [28]; illustrated throughout; fine copy in original yellow cloth, original pictorial dust jacket with short tear at the bottom of the front panel, and price-clipped. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
This copy inscribed by Krauss, "Love - from Ruth K." with her signature musical-note remarque.
440. When I walk I change the earth. Providence: Burning Deck, [1978].
$65
Edition limited to 500 copies (this, no. 74), plus 26 signed and lettered; 8vo, pp. [20]; printed in red and black by Leigh Dingerson; fine in original purple wrappers printed in silver by Keith Waldrop. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
This copy inscribed by Krauss, "For Allan & Cinda Kornblum [musical note] - from Ruth K."
441. The parlor city review no. 1 [all published?]. Binghamton: 1975.
$45
8vo, pp. 44; printed from typescript; original pictorial wrappers by Alberta M. E. Thompson; fine. From the library of Allan Kornblum, fine press printer, poet, and founder of the Coffee House Press.
Contributors include Allan Kornblum, Bob Guzikowski, Stu Kremsky, Milton Kessler, and others. We find no other issues that were published. OCLC locates the HRC in Austin, and SUNY-Binghamton copies only, each with just this first number.
442. TV. [Los Angeles?]: Onion Press, 1982.
$50
Edition limited to 31 copies (this, no. 18) signed by the author, 8vo, pp. [20]; original pictorial wrappers based on a TV-program listing; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
Printed "on Mohawk Superfine using Bembo types. Typography by LK. "The long poem is for my mother. The epoitaphs are from gravestones in the Santa Barbara cemetary. The commercials may be seen in their entirety any night or day on L.A, channels 56, 11, or 13."
Brown, UC-Santa Barbara, Colorado College and Johnsburg School District No. 12 (in Illinois) in OCLC.
443. A day in the world. Omaha: Abattoir Editions, University of Nebraska, [1976].
$75
Edition limited to 294 copies (this, no. 86); 8vo, pp. 59, [1]; title-page etching by James W. Mall; original beige cloth, printed paper label on spine, fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker, with his initials "KKM, Aug. 76" on front free endpaper.
444. The vision of Misery Hill. A legend of the Sierra Nevada and miscellaneous verse. With illustrations by Harry Fenn and others. New York: Putnams, 1891.
$100
First edition, 8vo, pp. viii, 150; errata slip, 6 plates by Harry Fenn, et al.; but for three small spots on the front cover, a near fine copy in original red cloth gilt, a.e.g.
Although the introduction is dated Newark, N.J., 1891, it begins: "To my fellow miners of California and the Pacific coast..." Several of the poems and illustrations are about western mining; of the others, one is against the beliefs of Robert G. Ingersoll, the agnostic, and another is to Frank Forrester, the great sporting writer who had committed suicide in Newark in 1858, and who appears to have been a friend of the poet's.
445. The eggplant skin pants and poems. Including plates of eighteen pen & ink drawings by the author. Mt. Horeb, WI: Perishable Press, 1973.
$100
Edition limited to 175 copies "or less," 4to, pp. [8], 18, [2]; printed in red and black on hand-made Hosho paper, bound in orig. maroon blindstamped cloth; this copy signed by the author on the penultimate leaf; fine.
Two years in the works.
Hamady Bibliography 57: "I love the layout of this book, the translucency of the paper give a sense of present, past & future all at once."
446. The Parnassian pilgrim; or the posthumous works of the late Mr. William Lake. With a sketch of his life. Hudson, (New York): printed at the Balance-Press, 1807.
$150
First edition, 12mo, pp. 184; full speckled calf, red morocco label on spine, marbled endpapers; old damp on lower corner causing some staining and warping, old owner's signature excised from title page, signature on flyleaf and some pencil marks in text, good and sound.
William Lake was born at Kingston, Pennsylvania in 1787 and died in 1805 at the early age of 18.
Harris, American Poetry p. 139; American Imprints 12881; Sabin 38655.
447. Cant be wrong. Minneapolis: Coffee House Press, 1996.
$60
First edition, 8vo, pp. [10], 11-125, [1]; fine copy in original pictorial wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy inscribed on the title page by Lally to Merker: "Kim, This should bring you somewhat up to date - & stir up some memories - You were there for some of it - Michael."
448. MCMLXVI poem [i.e. How many times must I marry myself]. [West Branch, Iowa?]: Nomad Press, 1970.
$75
First edition limited to 100 copies, square 8vo (8" x 7½"), pp. [4] frenchfold; title page printed in red and black, original green pictorial wrappers printed in red; fore-edge a little miscreased, all else near fine. With an inscription on the verso of the final leaf "[heart] Michael 6/73." Lally's third book.
449. Of. Portland, Oregon: Quiet Lion Press, 1999.
$45
First edition, 8vo, pp. 106, [2]; fine copy in original pictorial wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy inscribed on the title page by Lally to Merker: "Kim, more of the story so far... Michael."
450. Rocky dies yellow 1967-1972. Berkeley: Blue Wind Press, 1975.
$75
First edition, 2000 copies printed; 16mo, pp. 61, [3]; original pictorial wrappers; lightly rubbed, very good or better. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy inscribed by Lally to Kim Merker on the first leaf: "Kim - This is where I was, now I'm where I am. Michael 5-15-75."
451. Starless & bible black. Poynette, Wisc.: Bieler Press, 1975.
$125
Edition limited to 100 press-numbered copies (this, no. 38), small 4to, pp. [12] interleaved with black blank Strathmore paper; Weiss text and titling on gray Strathmore paper, sewn into covers of heavyweight black velour; fine.
This copy not signed, as often. The Press's first book preceded only by the very rare broadside, Sex Education.
Smith, Bieler, 2.
452. Starless & bible black. Poynette, Wisc.: Bieler Press, 1975.
$200
Edition limited to 100 press-numbered copies (this, no. 82) signed by the author, small 4to, pp. [12] interleaved with black blank Strathmore paper; Weiss text and titling on gray Strathmore paper, sewn into covers of heavyweight black velour; fine.
The Press's first book preceded only by the very rare broadside, Sex Education. Smith, Bieler, 2.
453. First light. Five poems. Iowa City. Iowa: Welkin Press, [1981].
$100
First edition limited to 50 copies signed by Langhammer, square 12mo, pp. [8], 23, [3]; original Japanese paper-covered boards, printed paper label on spine; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
"Handset in Garamond types and printed by the author on two-hundred pound paper called Somerset Textured" under the direction of "Wing, PD, Claude, Mr. Vandercook, et la tres inimitable Kay Amert."
454. Bib ballads. New York: P.F. Volland & Co., 1915.
$125
First edition, slim 8vo, unpaged; illustrations by Fontaine Fox thoughout; original brown pictorial cloth stamped in white and gilt; spine a bit faded, occasional soiling, slightly later (1931) gift inscription on half title page, faint blue pencil underlining to last poem, else good and sound.
The author's second book.
455. Weep and prepare. Selected poems 1926-1939. New York: Coward-McCann, Inc., [1940].
$150
First edition, 8vo, pp. xii, 168; fine copy in a near fine dust jacket.
Inscribed: "To Donald Wandrei / Sincerely / Raymond E. F. Larsson / Feast of Saint Rose / of Lima / 1940" (i.e. August 23). Wandrei (1908-1987) was a noted science fiction, fantasy and weird fiction writer, poet and editor, residing in St. Paul, Minnesota, and with his friend August Derleth was the founder of the publishing company, Arkham House.
456. The deconstructed man. [Iowa City]: Windhover Press, 1985.
$50
Edition limited to 240 copies signed by Laughlin; 4to, pp. [12]; pictorial title page after Vesalius printed in red and black; fine in original printed blue wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 85: "Laughlin had sent me this poem to read, not to publish. Though he is primarily a publisher, he is also a serious poet. I liked the poem very much and I asked him if I could publish it. He said yes."
457. Later that evening. [Brooklyn: Jordan Davies, 1981].
$75
First edition limited to 210 copies signed, but not numbered, by Lauterbach; 8vo, pp. [26]; title page printed in red, purple, and black; frontispiece illustration by Jordan Davies; fine copy in original pink wrappers, printed wrap-around label. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded the Toothpaste Press and Coffee House Press.
458. Macrocosmos: a poem. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930.
$50
First edition ltd. to 500 copies signed by Laver; slim 4to, pp. , 4to, pp. 31, [1]; title-p. printed in blue and black; orig. brown paper-covered boards printed in blue with an all-over cityscape design, titled in blue on spine; generally fine.
459. The stonecutters at war with the cliff dwellers. Nine poems by S R Lavin. Six woodcuts by Bruce Chandler. Williamsburgh, [Mass.]: The Heron Press, 1971.
$125
Edition limited to 200 copies (this, copy 121), signed and dated by Lavin; thin folio, pp. [24]; printed in red and black; original brown cloth, red leather label lettered in gilt on spine; near fine. Besides making the woodblocks, Chandler also designed and printed the book. From the library of Kim Merker.
460. 9 further plastics. Berkeley: Transitional Face, 1984.
$65
First edition limited to 100 copies, square 12mo (6" x 6"), pp. [16]; multicolor title-page spread; original decorated wrappers over stiff card; lightly rubbed, near fine. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded the Toothpaste Press and Coffee House Press.
461. The fancy ball: a letter lost from the portfolio of a young lady of Albany. Albany: W. C. Little & Co. [J. Munsell, printer], 1846.
$225
First edition, 1000 copies printed, 8vo, pp. 28; modern wrappers, printed label; lightly foxed; very good.
A costume party attended by the locally famous, identified only by first and last initials. An amusing poem "To the Queen" is appended, which concerns a further description of those hosting and those attending the ball. "Not among the Turks alone are women sold / Parties are here the markets for dears / And careful mothers act as auctioneers."
Munsell wrote of this piece in his annotated copy: "This was written by Mip [Gibbons?] to describe a fancy dress ball given at the expense of Henry Yates, who occupied the Kane Mansion on South Pearl Street. It was conceived and arranged by E. R. Satterlee, who had married a niece of Mr. Yates, and had a genius for the fine arts ... Mr. Satterlee was a wine and tea merchant in State Street, succeeding his father who was successor of Mancius & Le Breton – famous in their day. Mr. S. moved to New York, and engaged in insurance at 161 Broadway. This ball was the most famous affair that had ever been got up in Albany. In this work no words are divided at the ends of the lines. I set the type with my own hands, at a time when I could do and enjoy such recreation – for type setting was always a recreation. The poem was written by W. L. Learned, afterwards Judge Learned.” Bibliotheca Munselliana, 1846-37.
462. The shadow on the hour. Iowa City: The Prairie Press, 1956.
$50
First edition ltd. to 600 copies, 8vo, pp. [3]-44, [1]; fine copy in the jacket.
Cheever 115.
463. Driving and drinking ... drawings by Dana Wylder. Port Townsend: Copper Canyon Press, 1979.
$200
First edition limited to 100 copies signed by the poet; 8vo, pp. 53, [5]; title page printed in red and black, designed and printed by the poet and printed on Nideggen paper; fine in original maroon cloth, printed paper label on spine; fine. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
Lee was the first poet laureate of the state of Utah, 1997-2002.
464. Drunkard's dream. [New York]: Remember I Did This For You / A Power Mad Book, [1978].
$75
Edition limited to 200 copies, of which 26 were signed and lettered; 4to, 11" x 8½", [12] leaves printed from typescript on rectos only; small stain on the front cover else a fine copy in original decorative wrappers by Rae Berolzheimer, side-stapled. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
465. Whatever happens. With a color relief print by Claire Van Vliet. West Burke, VT: Janus Press, 1975.
$75
Edition limited to 250 copies (this, no. 145), signed Leontief and Van Vliet; 8vo, pp. [32]; original gray cloth, printed paper label on spine; generally a fine copy. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
466. The double image. Waldron Island: Brooding Heron Press, 1991.
$200
Edition limited to 300 copies, signed by Levertov on the title page; 8vo, pp. [8], 45, [1]; mounted frontispiece portrait, title page printed in red and black; fine copy in original black cloth-backed handmade paper-covered boards, printed paper label on spine. From the library of Kim Merker.
Originally published in London by the Cresset Press, 1946. "Three hundred copies of this edition were printed ... Twenty-six copies, lettered A-Z, as well as a small number of hors de commerce presentation copies ... were additionally provided with hard Japanese-style wraparound covers and supplemented with [The token] ... a previously unpublished poem [not present with this issue]" (colophon).
467. Modulations for solo voice. San Francisco: Five Trees Press, 1977.
$50
Edition limited to 200 copies printed on Curtis Colophon and is bound in paper wrappers; another issue of 50 numbered and signed copies is printed on Rives and is quarter-bound in leather; 8vo, pp. [32]; original gray wrappers, printed paper label on upper cover; fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
"These poems were written in the winter and spring of 1974-75 and might be subtitled, from the cheerful distance of 1977, Historia de un amor. They are intended to be read as a sequence."
468. Wanderer's daysong. [Port Townsend]: Copper Canyon Press, [1981].
$75
First edition limited to 240 copies, printed on Frankfurt paper and signed by Levertov; 10 copies were printed on Hayle paper; 8vo, pp. [24]; original blue cloth-backed decorative paper-covered boards, printed paper label on spine; spine a little sunned, else fine. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
469. Blue. West Chester: Aralia Press, [1989].
$500
Edition limited to 175 copies; 8vo, pp. [20]; title-page drawing by Nadya Brown and printed by Michael Peich; fine, in original gray printed wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
This copy inscribed in pencil on the colophon: "For you Kim Merker / the master / & friend. / Love / Phil / Philip Levine."
470. Naming. [Winona, Minnesota]: Sutton Hoo Press, 2004.
$150
Edition limited to 200 copies "plus artists' proofs," signed by Levine; 12mo, pp. [70]; original ivory paper-covered boards printed in black and turquoise; calligraphic illustrations throughout by Cheryl Jacobsen; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
Published as "Sutton Hoo Select Number Four."
471. New season. Port Townsend, Washington: Graywolf Press, 1975.
$70
Edition limited to 225 copies, 8vo, pp. [12]; brown paper wrappers; fine.
472. On the edge. Iowa City: Stone Wall Press, [1963].
$3,000
Edition limited to 220 copies (this copy, no. 2), 8vo, pp. 62, [2]; fine in original brown paper-covered boards, printed paper label on spine; fine throughout. From the library of the printer Kim Merker.
Signed by Levine on the colophon (most copies were not signed). And, additionally inscribed by Levine to the printer, Kim Merker on the half-title: "For Kim Merker, The other man who made this book. With love & thanks. Like they say, honey, the first time is the time. Phil Levine."
This is Levine's first published book. Later, he won the National Book Award twice, the Pulitzer Prize, and was the U.S. Poet Laureate 2011-12.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 12.
473. On the edge. Iowa City: Stone Wall Press, [1963].
$500
Edition limited to 220 copies (this, no. 19), 8vo, pp. 62, [2]; fine in original brown paper-covered boards, printed paper label on spine; tiny spot at the bottom of the front joint, else generally fine throughout. From the library of the printer Kim Merker. Also with a Stone Wall Press address label laid in addressed to Merker's parents, Mr. & Mrs. H. K. Merker, Great Neck, Long Island. This copy no doubt sent to his parents in 1963, which would have come back to him after their passing.
This is Levine's first published book. Later, he won the National Book Award twice, the Pulitzer Prize, and was the U.S. Poet Laureate 2011-12.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 12.
474. Red dust. Poems by Philip Levine with prints by Marcia Maris. Santa Cruz: Kayak Books, 1971.
$125
First edition limited to 1200 copies, 8vo, pp. [55], [1]; 7 full-page illustrations; very good copy in original pictorial wrappers; signed by Levine on the title page.
475. The names of the lost. [Iowa City]: Windhover Press, 1976.
$200
Edition limited to 200 copies signed by Levine, and printed by hand on Fabriano Book, tall 8vo, pp. 69, [3]; title page and initials printed in red; original black cloth, paper label on spine; fine, from the library of Kim Merker.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 63: "This is the second book of Phil's that I did. The first one was a modest little book ... where I just let the poems speak for themselves. By the time I did this one Phil was very well known and had won a number of awards, so I thought of doing a more ambitious book as a way of honoring him."
476. The afterlife. Poems. Iowa City: Windhover Press, 1977.
$225
Edition limited to 175 copies, this one of 105 on Cream Laid paper, signed by the author on the half-title; 8vo, pp. 61, [3]; fine copy in original blue cloth-backed paper-covered boards, paper label on spine. From the library of Kim Merker.
Winner of the 1976 Lamont Poetry award which Merker helped orchestrate.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 67.
477. Calisthenics of the heart [cover title]. [New York]: Vehicle Editions, 1976].
$250
Edition limited to 24 copies (per OCLC - this copy designated "commercial 12"); square 16mo (5¼" x 5¼"); printing, binding, and marbling by the author; lightly rubbed, else fine. From the library of Allan Kornblum, poet, fine press printer, and publisher who founded Coffee House Press.
Apparently, this is Levitt's and Vehicle Editions' first book. From the Vehicle Editions website: "Vehicle Editions was founded in 1976 by Annabel Levitt. Annabel Lee (she married the Lee in 1988) brings diverse experience to her role as publisher. A printer (letterpress and offset), hand bookbinder, teacher of book crafts, bookkeeper, phototypesetter, monotype typesetter, hand typesetter and writer, Annabel has worked for many other publishers (including responsibilities as Managing Editor and as Production Manager) and she has worked extensively with art book publishers on behalf of European printers." She was also formerly Secretary/Treasurer on the Board of Center for Book Arts, New York.
Arizona only in OCLC.
478. Maggot and worm and eight other stories. Illustrated by Byron Burford. West Branch, Iowa: Cummington Press, 1969.
$75
Edition limited to 300 copies (this, no. 18), printed by Harry Duncan and David Pollen; 8vo, pp. 119, [1]; 9 silkscreens by Byron Burford; original cream linen, printed paper label on spine, japanese tissue dust jacket; fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
479. The St. Kitts monkey feuds. A poem in eight parts. Omaha: The Cummington Press, 1995.
$45
Edition limited to 200 copies (this, no. 26) printed by Harry Duncan on Nideggen from Bembo type with Goudy Open display; 8vo, pp. 40; 2 linoleum cuts by Laurence Donovan; fine in original printed tan wrappers. From the library of Kim Merker.
480. [Lincoln, Abraham.] Ode on the death of Abraham Lincoln. Boston: William V. Spencer, 1865.
$175
First edition, one of only 250 copies printed; 8vo, pp. 15, [1]; printed paper wrappers; generally fine.
First published in the New-York Independent. "A few copies have been issued in the present form, with some changes and additions" (p. 3). Samuel Greene Wheeler Benjamin was the US's first Minister to Persia.
Monaghan 399; Sabin 4712.
481. Autograph poem "Tender and true, adieu!". Washington City: Jan. 14th, 1916.
$150
Large 8vo leaf, faint creases from previous folds, else near fine.
One of Gould's earliest published poems, first appearing in print in A Chaplet of Leaves (1869) and produced here for the autograph collection of Howes Norris Jr., "Granddaddy of all the autograph fiends". Accompanied by a short autograph letter from Lincoln's secretary (?), apologizing for her delay in responding to Norris's request for an autograph "on account of dangerous illness in her family."
482. Rhymes to be traded for bread being new verses by Nicholas Vachel Lindsay, Springfield, Illinois, June, 1912. Printed expressly as a substitute for money [drop title]. Springfield, IL: 1912.
$500
8vo, pp. [16]; text in double column; self-wrappers; tiny dog ear on first leaf, else fine.
Lindsay made a number of cross-country treks, bartering his self-printed collections of poetry for room and board as he went. This book was "to be used in exchange for the necessities of life on a tramp-journey from the author's home town... during which he will observe the following rules." One of those rules was to have nothing to do with money, and to carry no baggage, with the exception of his pamphlets. His pamphlet also advertises "sermons" to be preached on request on the gospel of the Hearth, of voluntary poverty, and the holiness of beauty.
483. Collected poems. Revised and illustrated edition. New York: Macmillan Co., 1925.
$150
First printing of the revised edition and first illustrated edition, 8vo, pp. [2], lxii, [2], 464; illustrations in the text by the author; dust-jacket illustration by the author with small tape stain on front panel, top and bottom of spine chipped with loss of imprint at the bottom.
Inscribed by Lindsay on the half-title: "To Alice with the great good wishes of Nicholas Vachel Lindsay."
484. The Congo and other poems ... With an introduction by Harfriet Monroe. New York: Macmillan, 1918.
$375
8vo, pp. xv, [1], 159, [3], [5] ads; original decorative mustard cloth; spine soiled and worn at extremities; good and sound.
With a long inscription from Lindsay on the front free endpaper: "My good wishes to Miss Eleanor Harris friend of Miss Frances Whiting and all proper sentiments to Miss Harris and Mrs. Whiting from Nicholas Vachel Lindsay Feb. 20, 1920." On the rear endpaper is a pencil sketch of Lindsay by the presentee.
485. The Ezekiel chant. n.p., n.d. [Springfield, IL: 1930].
$75
Broadside, approx. 11" x 8½", small mounted illustration by Lindsay at the top dated 1930; two columns of the text of his poem printed on pale green paper and within a printed rule border, and with an inscription on the verso "In love and gratitude Nicky, Susan, and Elizabeth Lindsay. 'Our Christmases shall be rare at dawning there'."
Nicholas and Susan were his children, and his wife, Elizabeth. Christmas greeting from the Lindsay family sent out for the 1930 holiday season. Some toning, previous folds, the right margin with chips, one affecting the ruled border.
486. [Logan Elm Press.] Things done alone. Poetry selected from the 1982 Ohio State University summer writing series. Columbus: Logan Elm Press, 1982.
$45
Edition limited to 200 copies printed on Kozo, 16mo, pp. [4], 15, [3]; 3 small linocuts; original handmade Gampi and Abaca paper wrappers stitched in the Japanese style, printed red paper label on upper cover.
487. The house that Jack built or a portrait of the artist as a sad sensualist. Illustrated from drawings by James Brunot. Omaha: Abattoir Editions, University of Nebraska, 1974.
$75
Edition limited to 300 copies (this, no. 180); 8vo, pp. 75, [1]; 35 illustrations, some printed in red and black; original cream linen over boards, printed wrap-around paper label on spine and upper cover; a fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
488. Poems ... with illustrations by D. Huntington. Philadelphia: Carey and Hart, 1845.
$250
First collected edition of Longfellow's poetry, with 12 poems appearing here for the first time. 8vo, pp. 387; engraved frontispiece, engraved title-page, portrait of the author, and 8 engraved plates inserted; half green morocco by Stikemen, gilt-lettered direct on spine, t.e.g. A fine copy.
BAL 12079
489. The courtship of Miles Standish and other poems. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1858.
$200
First American edition, first printing, with "treacherous" on p. 124 and October ads, 12mo, pp. 215, [1], 11, ads, [1]; Ticknor & Fields ad for Waverley novels tipped to front free endpaper; original brown cloth, gilt title on spine; spine skewed, bookplate removed, top of spine chipped, light edgewear, front hinge just starting, good or better.
BAL 12122
490. The poetical works. London: Henry Frowde, 1906.
$125
8vo, pp. viii, 878; engraved frontispiece; text in double column; dampstain in lower margin of front cover and first few leaves, especially noticeable on frontispiece, otherwise a very good, sound copy in contemporary half red calf, spine in 3 compartments, gilt-lettered and decorated in 2, the large central compartment with a large gilt wildflower.
491. Situations / sets. [Council Bluffs: Yellow Barn Press, 1983.]
$250
Edition limited to 50 copies (this, no. 25); tall 8vo, pp. [14]; 4 linocuts; original pictorial white wrappers with a large linocut on the front; fine. Printed by Marc Faré at the Yellow Barn Press.
No mention of this in the Yellow Barn Press bibliography. Not found in OCLC. Thanks to technology I tracked Vicky down in California. She confirms the text was part of her graduate thesis in Toronto. "A very poetic approach!" she writes. "The book was a wonderful project with Marc Faré, who wanted practice with the letterpress."
492. [Lovecraft, H. P..] The bonnet, Vol. 1, no. 1. Newton Centre, Mass: The Bonnet, June, 1919.
$450
First edition of the only known number, small 8vo, pp. 12; original printed self-wrappers; about fine.
Includes two unsigned contributions from H. P. Lovecraft, listed on p. 12 as one of the "Official Critics." An ephemeral example of Lovecraft's involvement with the amateur press movement, with an unattributed poetic tribute to Helene Hoffman Cole (Second Vice-President of the Bonnet Club Officials); and a brief paragraph under "Trimmings." The editor, Winifred Virginia Jordan, was rumored in amateur press circles to have been linked romantically to Lovecraft.
Duke and NYPL only in OCLC. See Joshi & Schultz, eds., An. H. P. Lovecraft Encyclopedia, p. 41.
493. Conversations on some of the old poets. Cambridge: John Owen, 1845.
$450
First edition, small 8vo; pp. [2], [i-iii], vi-viii, [1], 2-263; contemporary half calf over marbled boards, spine in 5 compartments with a black morocco label in 1; bound by H.T. Crofoot of Newburyport, Mass. around the same time of publication, binder's stamp on the front free endpaper; very good with a few hints of wear to the extremities, bacfk free endpaper excised, and a few small spots of age darkening to the flyleaves. BAL 13049.
Bound with: Longfellow's The Belfry of Bruges and Other Poems, John Owen, 1846. First edition, pp. [2], [i-v], vi-vii, [3], 3-151. Half-title bound in. This imprint of Longfellow's poems marks the first publications of: "The Arrow and the Song", "Autumn", "Dante", "Drinking Song", "The Evening Star", "The Old Clock on the Stairs", "Poetic Aphorisms", "To a Child", and "To an Old Danish Song-Book". BAL12083.
494. Land of unlikeness. Introduction by Allen Tate. [Cummington, Massachusetts]: Cummington Press, 1944.
$3,000
Edition limited to 250 copies (this one of 224 on Brook and unsigned); 8vo, pp. [44]; title page printed in blue, red, and black with a woodcut design by Gustav Wolf; original blue paper-covered boards lettered in red; spine and edges sunned; all else near fine. From the library of Kim Merker.
This is Lowell's first book.
Richmond 16.
495. All kinds of love poems. [Iowa City]: privately printed [at the Stone Wall Press for Oliver Lowry], 1965.
$125
Edition limited to 250 copies, 8vo, pp. 53, [3]; wood engraving by Fred Becker; fine copy in original blue cloth lettered in gilt on spine, publisher's slipcase. From the library of Kim Merker.
Berger, Printing and the Mind of Merker, 17: "This is one of my favorite books ... everything works in this book."
496. All-$tar poetry. [Iowa City, Iowa: Typographic Laboratory and Windhover Press ... Special thanks to K.K. Merker, Howard & Kay, 1972].
$450
Edition limited to 15 copies, 8vo, pp. [30] (i.e. 26 - 4 pages in duplicate); printed in red and black; original gray wrappers printed in red and black; top edge of front cover lightly faded, else a fine copy. From the library of Kim Merker.
The error in the gathering is duly noted on the 4th page (the first of the duplicate pages): "Error! (this HAD to be your copy)." This is reprised on the colophon: "To Kim - master printer & guru / author of the statement on / sports & poetry / ('I'd rather have lived Rogers Hornsby / and died Wm. Carlos Williams.') / Thanks for a lot - Jim."
Poems by Arthur Lubow, Sue Goldwitz, James Vrabel (the 'Jim' in the above inscription), and Charles Mango. Baseball all-star themed table of contents at front and box score page at end.
Howard & Kay mentioned in the colophon are Howard Zimmon and Kay Amert - Kay, the Director of the Typographic Laboratory, and owner of the Seamark Press, and Howard, her pressman and poet.
Wisconsin only in OCLC. No mention of this in Berger's Printing and the Mind of Merker.
497. Stroka Prospekt. A story ... Introduction by Thomas M. Disch. Drawings by Ann Mikolowski. [West Branch, Iowa]: Toothpaste Press, [1982].
$100
Edition limited to 950 copies "designed & printed by Allan Kornblum on Fabriano-Ingres," this being copy 14 of 100 numbered and signed by the author and artist; narrow folio, pp. [8], 11-45, [1]; title page printed in brown and black; 3 full-page drawings by Ann Mikolowski; original brown cloth-backed speckled paper-covered boards, printed paper label on spine; fine copy.
498. Good evening and other poems ... Illustrations by Eleanor Simmons. Lisbon, Iowa: The Penumbra Press, [1979].
$75
Edition limited to 250 copies, this no. 26 and one of 85 copies case-bound and signed by the poet; 8vo, pp. [9], 8-33, [3]; printed in red and black; 2 scratchboard drawings by Simmons; fine copy in original terracotta cloth, printed paper label on spine. From the library of Kim Merker and with the original typed invoice to him from the press laid in.
499. In the path of the Persian. Boston: Richard G. Badger, The Gorham Press, 1907.
$50
First edition, 12mo, pp. 63; largely unopened; title-p. printed in red and black; original pictorial paper-covered boards printed in red and green, red cloth shelfback lettered in gilt on spine.
500. Picture of a factory village: to which are annexed, remarks on lotteries. Providence: printed for the author, 1933.
$375
12mo, pp. 144; 2 wood-engraved plates printed on pink paper; original plain muslin-backed paper-covered boards; very good.
Ostensibly, the earliest known antifactory poem. With the bookplate and ownership signature of Geo. C. Nightengale, Jr., director of the American Bank on South Main St., Providence.
Not in Bartlett; American Imprints 19897; Goldsmiths'-Kress 28307.11; Sabin 44185.