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The complete 'Paterson' in its 1st printings, introduced by Williams as 'a long poem in four parts [sic] - that a man in himself is a city, beginning, seeking, achieving and concluding his life in ways which the various aspects of a city may embody - if imaginatively conceived - any city, all the details of which may be made to voice his most intimate convictions'. Respectively, the volumes appeared in 1946 1948, 1949, 1951, and 1958 in editions of 1000 copies (actually 1063 printed), 1000 (1009 printed), 1000 (of which 999 were bound), 1000 (995 bound), and [3000]. 8vo. Tan cloth lettered in gold on the upper boards over a wraparound rectangle stamped respectively in black, green, dark blue, sienna, and orange. pp.[48], [58], [56], [60], and [42], all fore edges and (except for the final volume) tail edges uncut, as issued. Spotting to the head edges, scattered moderately elsewhere along with an occasional mark, the boards of the first volume a touch curved and the spine of the second gently rolled, the former toned to the pastedowns, the latter with the stitching holes visible at the front (in production, and without any impact), the fourth volume faintly scratched to the upper board, and the final volume toned to the endpapers. Rubbing and toning to the dust jackets, and with the occasional mark in general, the first volume chipped at the spine head and with a split at the upper flap fold, the lower flap fold with an unobtrusive stain, and spotted to the verso, the front of the second volume a little soiled, the third with a few little pocks and splits, its spine with a droplet, the fourth chipped to the spine head and with splits and a pock to the folds, the spine with a small scuff on the reverse where something (not a repair) was affixed, the upper panel somewhat scratched and handled, the final volume also nicked/chipped and shelfworn overall, its lower panel with a short tear at the head edge, the spine creased horizontally, but fundamentally sound overall, unclipped and presentable. Moreover, the final volume has been signed by Williams ('Bill') in his post-stroke hand and inscribed to Charles (Tomlinson), whose ownership inscription is also present. Wallace A24, A25, A30, A34, and A44.
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