[Rarebooks] FS: E. A. Robinson's scarce privately published first book, Inscribed to his writing teacher

[Charles Agvent]

Another fine item from our Holiday Catalogue containing over 200 book 
and autographs, about half of which are new arrivals.  See the complete 
list at http://www.erols.com/agvent

ROBINSON,  Edwin  Arlington. THE TORRENT AND  THE  NIGHT
        BEFORE.  Gardiner, Maine: Printed for the Author 1896.  First
        Edition.  Printed  blue wraps. Robinson's first book, one  of
        only 312  copies  published  at his own  expense.  This  copy
        SIGNED  and  INSCRIBED by the poet on the title page: "L.  E.
        Gates,  with compliments of E. A. Robinson. 8 December 1896."
        Lewis Gates,  instructor  and  later  professor  at  Harvard,
        presided  over  English 9, a course on "Prose Writers of  the
        19th Century"  that Robinson took in 1891-92, his first  year
        as a student.  The letters Robinson wrote in college  contain
        a number  of references to Gates and his course, for example:
        "He [Gates]  told  me  that I  was  'impressionistic'--  if I
        would excuse  the euphemism'"; "Gates is a pretty good fellow
        and thinks  the  new  school of poetry  consists  of  Francis
        Thompson.  I don't exactly agree with him." The course helped
        to inspire  Robinson to attempt writing fiction which he gave
        up after  two  years  of fruitless effort. Another  pupil  of
        Gates,  at  a  slightly later date, Frank  Norris,  met  with
        considerable   more  success  writing   fiction.  His  novel,
        McTEAGUE,  is dedicated to Gates. This is the Benz copy which
        sold at  Christies in 1984. Minor and neat restoration to the
        spine tips.  Housed  in a brown morocco-backed slipcase  with
        chemise. Fine copy in handsome slipcase.             $5000.00

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CHARLES AGVENT 
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