44 Books Inscribed by John Dos Passos to his close friend Walter Rumsey Marvin (with a few related titles)

DOS PASSOS, John

About this Item

A collection of books from the estate of Beulah Appleton, second wife of Dos Passos' close friend Walter Rumsey Marvin (who was known to Dos Passos as "Rum" or "Rummy"). Many of the books are inscribed to both "Rummy" and either his first wife Betsy or his second wife Beulah (known as "B."), and/or their daughter Miranda. Dos Passos met Marvin, four years his junior, in 1915 when both were traveling to California; for Dos Passos it was a respite from his mother's recent death and before he began his senior year at Harvard. Coincidentally, they ran into each other on several legs of the trip, including at the Grand Canyon, and Dos Passos began a friendship, and soon thereafter a correspondence, both of which continued for the rest of his life. Marvin appears, and his correspondence with Dos Passos (now largely at the University of Virginia) is referenced repeatedly in Townsend Ludington's biography: *John Dos Passos: A Twentieth Century Odyssey* (Dutton, 1980). Marvin was not a collector per se and condition varies, but most are first editions, and most are in very good condition, but further details of edition and condition on the list below. Books Signed (and mostly by) John Dos Passos: 1. *Eight Harvard Poets* New York: Laurence J. Gomme 1917. First edition. Ownership signature of Rumsey Marvin on front fly, some wear on the paper covered boards, very good. Anthology includes poems by Dos Passos. E.E. Cummings, Robert Hillyer, and others. Inscribed on the title page "for Rummy, John Dos Passos." 2. *One Man's Initiation* 1917. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd. (1920) First English, and true first, edition, preceding the U.S. edition. Spine sunned else near fine lacking the dust jacket. Inscribed "to Rummy with love from Jack, October 28, 1920." 3. *One Man's Initiation* 1917. New York: George H. Doran 1922. First American edition. Spine label toned and light wear, very good or better lacking the dust jacket. Inscribed: "A long time ago, yrs Dos." 4. *One Man's Initiation*. Ithaca: Cornell University Press (1969). Authorized and unexpurgated edition. With new introduction by the author and drawings from his Paris sketchbook. Fine in about fine dust jacket. Inscribed" "To Rummy this dates back to the days that only you remember when I had a head of hair yours, Dos." 5. *Three Soldiers* New York: George H. Doran (1921). First edition. Short tear at the crown, moderate overall wear, about very good lacking the dusatwrapper. With Marvin's ownership name in pencil and Inscribed in ink: "for Rummy, John Dos Passos." 6. *Rosinante* New York: George H. Doran (1922). First edition. Rumsey Marvin's penciled ownership signature, some toning and a small spot on front board, very good lacking the dust jacket. Inscribed "for Rummy, John Dos Passos." 7. *A Pushcart at the Curb* New York: George H. Doran (1922). First edition. Corners a bit bumped and rubbed, very good. Inscribed "for Mrs. Marvin, Jack, Pittsburgh November 1922." 8. *Manhattan Transfer* New York: Harper & Brothers 1925. First edition. Book a little cocked, spine-label chipped, good or better lacking the dust jacket. Inscribed "for the Marvins on E 95th Street, a little before Christmas, Yours Dos." 9. *The Garbage Man: A Parade with Shouting* New York: Harper & Brothers 1926. First edition. Backstrip lacking, else sound and good. Inscribed "Betsy s & Rummy s copy, Love Dos." 10. *Orient Express* New York: Harper & Brothers 1927. First edition. Old owner's stamp on title page, light wear on the boards, very good lacking the dust jacket. Inscribed "to Rummy and B, affectionately Jack (John Dos Passos)." 11. *Airways, Inc.* New York: Macaulay (1928). First edition. Near fine lacking the dust jacket. Inscribed: "Betsy s & Rummy s book, Love Dos." 12. *42nd Parallel* New York: Harper and Brothers 1930. First edition. Small chip at the crown else very good in a tattered, good only dust jacket. Inscribed "for Mrs. Walter Rumsey Marvin Jr. with the sincere compliments of Joh. Seller Inventory # 463581

Bibliographic Details

Title: 44 Books Inscribed by John Dos Passos to his...

Binding: Hardcover

Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition