ASP OF THE AGE

Rare privately printed first edition of the visionary Pittsburgh poet's singular collection - printed from the author's manuscript and prefaced by George Marion O'Donnell's critical essay. Hoyleman's first and only officially published book appeared only after three decades of near misses: individual poems and prose pieces had been published by a number of journals, and her work earned Elizabeth Bishop's admiration, James Laughlin's support and Lincoln Kirstein's highest praises ("I don't think there are four other people in the country who can write so well"), but the 1941 version of ASP for which O'Donnell's introduction was originally written was abandoned when its contracted publisher enlisted in the Army. Despite the passionate appreciation of a small number of discerning admirers, Hoyleman's fame in her lifetime reached only to the heights of a short biographical spotlight - now lost - filmed for Pittsburgh's local WQED-TV. The segment included an undistinguished local actor's reading from ASP, displeasing the poet, who told them to ask for Richard Burton: "I still believe Richard Burton would read ASP OF THE AGE for the children of America" (Martrich). Rare. 12.5'' X 10.25''. Original orange wrappers with green cloth spine. Edition of 326 copies. Designed and printed by Ron Caplan, distributed by The Asphodel Book Shop. Unpaginated. Small split to top of front joint (holding firm), light edgewear and sunning to wrappers, minor corner creasing.…