18 Poems

First Edition of the Author's First Book

THOMAS, Dylan. 18 Poems. London: Published by The Sunday Referee and The Parton Bookshop, [1934].

First edition, second issue, of the author's first book. One of the second 250 copies bound up about a year after the first issue and published on February 21, 1936. Octavo (8 1/2 x 5 3/8 inches; 217 x 136 mm.). 36, [2, blank[, [1, colophon], [1, blank] pp. With an extra Parton Press advertisement leaf tipped in between the half-title and the title-page. Printed by The Favil Press.

Original black cloth with rounded spine, the Dutch gilt lettering on the spine discolored to pale green (as often, according to Rolph). Small bookplate of J.O. Edwards on front pastedown. A near fine copy. In the original dust jacket. Dust jacket foxed and frayed, with a few short tears, and a chip (1 3/4 x 3/4 inch) missing from top edge of rear panel.

The first issue of this book was published in December 1934, when 250 of 500 printed sets of sheets were bound up and sold. The second issue, consisting of the remaining 250 sets of sheets, was not bound up until February of 1936. It is identifiable by its rounded spine, the page tipped-in between the half-title and title page (blank on recto and advertising three books on the verso), and the Dutch gilt on its spine, which is prone to fading.

Rolph B.1.b.

Price: $1,850

   (To order this item, or for more information, please call 818-222-4103)