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Scarce original 1924 Autographed antique book of poetry by Martha Ostenso, limited to 150 copies of which this is copy number four. This copy also appears to be inscribed by the author on the rear inner board: ""A Far Land", by Martha Ostenso, New York: Thomas Seltzer, 1924, First edition limited edition of 150 copies printed on B. R, All-rag paper, specially bound of which 125 copies numbered and signed are for sale of which this is Number 4. Signed by Ostenso on the half title and with another inscription at rear inner board that appears to be from the author, "To Van and Jane from O" 70 pages, measures 5 3/8" X 7 7/78" in original binding that shows wear at bottom left corner and some old stain to covers. Overall a nice presentation. "Martha Ostenso (1900 1963) was a Norwegian American novelist and screenwriter who is also an important figure in Canadian literary history. Martha Ostenso was born in Haukeland (now part of Bergen), in Hordaland County, Norway. Her parents were Sigurd and Olina (née Tungeland) Ostenso. She emigrated with her family to the province of Manitoba, Canada, where she first settled in Brandon before moving to Winnipeg. Ostenso taught in a rural school and attended the University of Manitoba for approximately one year; she never graduated.While studying at the University of Manitoba, she was a student of Douglas Durkin, a professor in the English Department. Shortly thereafter Durkin left his wife and children and moved to New York City; Ostenso joined him there. They lived together in New York, where she studied at Columbia University. After Durkin's wife died, he and Ostenso married in 1945. Ostenso and Durkin lived for a time in Hollywood, California, where they had friends among the movie stars of the 1930s and 40s. Ostenso's novel Wild Geese was filmed as The Cry of the Wild Geese in 1961 as a West-German and Austrian co-production and later as After the Harvest in 2001 as a made-for-television movie for Canadian TV starring Sam Shepard. The film industry lifestyle impacted Ostenso's and Durkin's health, as well as their productivity and the quality of their work. In 1963, the couple moved to Seattle, Washington, to be near Durkin's sons. Shortly after the move, Ostenso died from cirrhosis of the liver, the result of years of heavy drinking.".
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