Eight Harvard Poets.

CUMMINGS, E. E., and others.

Published by New York: Laurence J. Gomme, 1917

About this Item

First edition, rare presentation copy of Cummings's first appearance in book form, inscribed by the poet on the first blank to his French translator, "inscribed, with pleasure, for Jon Grossman by E. E. Cummings", one of only six copies which include a typescript of Cummings's anti-war poem "The Casualty List, 'Dead on the Field of Honor'", tipped in after page 10. We can trace only one signed copy in auction records, and none inscribed. Cummings wrote the poem, originally titled "From a Newspaper", at Harvard in 1914. His father typed up and inserted the poem into a few copies of Eight Harvard Poets, "as if the poem were accidentally left out of the anthology. This seemingly small gesture of a father's proud yet enthusiastic endorsement of his son's works tells of the important bond between father and son regarding Cummings' future creative output" (Huang-Tiller, p. 274). A note in Cummings's own copy by one of his literary executors explains that his father tipped the poem into just six copies. This copy was originally presented in December 1917 by Cummings's father, inscribed by him on the front free endpaper: "Dear M. Hill, Perhaps these verses will tell you a little about the lad. I inserted the typewritten verses because they show his feeling towards France. Gratefully yours, Edward Cummings. Dec 17, 1917". Eight Harvard Poets was printed in an edition of 500 copies in August 1917. Cummings, in his first appearance in book form, is credited as "E. Estlin Cummings"; John Dos Passos also appears for the first time, as "J. R. Dos Passos". Firmage A1. Gillian Huang-Tiller, "A Note on George Firmage and E. E. Cumming's Copy of Eight Harvard Poets", Spring, No. 14/15, October 2005-06. Octavo. Original grey cloth spine, grey-green paper boards, spine and front cover lettered in dark red. A little marked and rubbed, extremities slightly worn, pale damp stains to rear cover, contents clean. A very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 185278

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Eight Harvard Poets.
• Publisher: New York: Laurence J. Gomme, 1917
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)