OVERTURES TO DEATH and Other Poems [First edition in first state dustwrapper]

C. Day Lewis [Cecil Day Lewis]

Editore: Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, 1938

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First impression of the true first edition, with the first issue dustwrapper that has no review printed on the front panel. ***Very good in light-beige cloth-covered boards with red titles to the spine. The titles are still nice and bright. Boards clean and unmarked. No bumps. No tears to the cloth. Corners sharp. Spine tight. Top edge of text-block stained red by the publisher - still nice and clean. Internally also very good, with two previous owners' marks as follows: a beautifully designed 1930s period bookplate affixed to the front pastedown printed 'Ex Libris May Richardson', and later ownership details in ink to the front free endpaper 'Michael Phillips, Jesus College, Oxford, 1975'. There is some light foxing throughout, but mostly affecting the first and last few pages. Pages clean. No tears or creases. Fore-edge untrimmed as is common with Jonathan Cape editions from this period. Quality paper stock used. ***In a very good dustwrapper that has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of 5s. net. The thin and fragile dustwrapper is remarkably clean and complete, with just some small loss at the top and tail of the spine. No chips or tears. There is some rubbing and wear to the edges of the dustwrapper commensurate with age and handling. The spine of the dustwrapper is very darkened. The light grey of the dustwrapper is slightly marked. ***62 pages. 208 mm x 150 mm. ***'The title-piece is a sequence of seven poems, in which Death is addressed as an enemy, a counsellor, a friend; familiarly in some, ceremonially in others. This sequence has been led up to by a number of poems which are concerned with the shadow of imminent war. The "Overtures" are followed by a group of poems declaring the need for action and the belief that man is not impotent against war and death but can still reach the heights of his power by helping to change the world. This group reaches its climax in a long narrative poem, "The Nabara", which describes the naval action between three Basque government trawlers and the rebel cruiser "Canarias". The book closes with a miscellaneous group of more personal poems."' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper). ***'Cecil Day-Lewis (or Day Lewis) CBE (27 April 1904 - 22 May 1972), often written as C. Day-Lewis, was an Irish-born, British poet and Poet Laureate from 1968 until his death in 1972. In Oxford, Day-Lewis became part of the circle gathered around W. H. Auden and helped him to edit Oxford Poetry 1927. During World War II, Day-Lewis worked as a publications editor in the Ministry of Information for the UK government, and also served in the Musbury branch of the British Home Guard. During the Second World War his work was now no longer so influenced by Auden and he was developing a more traditional style of lyricism. Some critics believe that he reached his full stature as a poet in "Word Over All" (1943), when he finally distanced himself from Auden. After the war he joined the publisher Chatto & Windus as a director and senior editor. In 1946, Day-Lewis was a lecturer at Cambridge University, publishing his lectures in "The Poetic Image" (1947). Day-Lewis was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by George VI in his 1950 Birthday Honours. He later taught poetry at Oxford, where he was Professor of Poetry from 1951 to 1956. During 1962-1963, he was the Norton Professor at Harvard University. Day-Lewis was appointed Poet Laureate in 1968, in succession to John Masefield.' [Wiki] ***First impression of the true first edition, in its original dustwrapper, in nice condition. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

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Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: OVERTURES TO DEATH and Other Poems [First edition in first state dustwrapper]
• Editore: Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London
• Data di pubblicazione: 1938
• Rilegatura: Hardcover
• Edizione: First Edition
• Stampa: First Impression
• Condizione: Very Good
• Condizione della sovraccoperta: Very Good
• Cataloghi dei venditori:
  • Literature
  • First Editions