[Literature] Moore, Marianne Poems

London: The Egoist Press, 1921. First edition. 8vo. 23, (1) pp. Signed by Moore on title-page. Original stiff patterned wrappers, printed title-label at center of front wrapper, wear along extremities, light chipping to same; all edges trimmed; hinges reinforced; wear on front paste-down from a now removed book-plate; "A" added in manuscript to title of "Talisman" on Contents page, same correction added at p. 9; manuscript correction "es" added to "glass" in fourth line of "Those Various Scalpels" on p. 7 (this last correction also found in two presentation copies from Moore: the Rechler copy and the Trinity College copy). Abbott A1

A rare signed first edition of Moore's fragile first published book of poetry. This work was infamously published without Moore's permission by her friends, the poet H.D. (Hilda Doolittle), and the novelist, Bryher (Winifred Ellerman). Moore had previously published poetry and reviews in the modernist literary journals The Dial, Egoist, and Contact, but by 1920 she was hesitant to further publish any poems. Upon learning of the publication of this collection, Moore was furious, and disapproved of the selection and title, although she approved of the printing, including the typography, binding, and paper.

This collection comprises 24 poems, including ten of which Moore gave to H.D. for publication in the Egoist, two that Moore had sent to Robert McAlmon for publication in Contact, and two others that were published in The Dial.

Considering Moore's disapproval of this publication, copies signed by her are rarely found.

Provenance

From the private collection of Asher D. Atchick, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania