London: William Heinemann, 1913. Hardcover. Laurence Binyon (1869-1943) was a prolific English poet and scholar of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, whose career spanned 50 years. During this time, he authored numerous poetry collections and plays, two historical biographies, and several art history volumes, including books on the works of Asian artists, English watercolorists, and William Blake’s drawings and engravings. He is perhaps best remembered for his World War I poem, “For the Fallen,” and his translation of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, which he translated in its original terza rima, a remarkable undertaking much admired by Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, and other younger poets.[Poetry Foundation] This first edition of his poetry is accompanied by a charming tipped in handwritten letter dated December 2, 1913. He writes: "Dear Sir, I feel it an honour to comply with your request, & have written out a little poem from my just published volume [this work], which I hope may not be unsuitable for your purpose. I was particularly glad to get your letter because the reviews one gets in the newspapers are apt to make one feel that what has been written with all one's heart means nothing to the public; & besides I am much dissatisfied with my work & wish often I could make an entirely fresh start. To get a letter like yours is a reminder that there are people who prefer to encourage rather than discourage & that there are others besides the few I know for whom it is worth while printing what one writes. So it is I who thank you - Believe me Truly yours Laurence Binyon. P.S. I should have sent this at once but it is difficult to get a moment's leisure." The letter has offsetting on the front page but it clear and legible in Binyon's attractive handwriting. Bound in brown cloth with faded gilt titling to spine and front cover. The book has some darkening to the covers and light bumping. Interior pages are clean with offsetting and light foxing to the preliminary and rear free endpapers and title page. . Very good condition. Measures 5 x 7.25 inches. 97 pages. POET/051721. Very Good.

Item #35146

Price: $190.00