The Torrent and the Night Before

12mo, original printed blue wrappers (text loose in wrappers, two-inch split at the heel of the spine, occasional light foxing), 44 pages. Edwin Arlington Robinson's scarce first book, a collection of 43 poems written between 1889 and 1896. The manuscript was rejected by commercial publishers and Robinson resorted to self-publishing it in an edition of 312 copies, which he distributed to friends and family; none were for sale. Of the original 312 copies, only 56 (including this copy) were located in Carl J. Weber's census in 1947 (Colby College Library Quarterly). An early presentation copy, inscribed on the title-page to "W. R. Gay / From E. A. Robinson / 7 December 1896." There are only two recorded copies with an earlier presentation (both dated December 4), and three others are known to have this date. From the library of American book collector Jonathan Goodwin; lot 521 in the famous sale of his collection at Sotheby's in 1977 ($1,400.00). Later bookplate of Bruce Lisman inside the case. Wrappers skillfully repaired at the spine; some light foxing; fine copy, enclosed in clamshell case. First edition, one of 312 copies privately printed.…