[Rarebooks] FS: Robert Frost's first book Inscribed (likely) to Frederic Melcher

[Charles Agvent]

FROST,  Robert.  A  BOY'S WILL. London:  David  Nutt  1913.  First
Edition.  The  second  issue,  binding D in cream  linen  wrappers  of
Frost's  first  book,  one  of 716 copies sold  by  Dunster  House  in
Cambridge,  Massachusetts, of a total of 1000 copies printed. This  is
one  of  686  with "Printed in Great Britain"  rubber-stamped  on  the
copyright  page.  Crane A2. INSCRIBED and SIGNED by Frost on the  half
title  page:  "Fred/from/Robert/Amherst May 1935." Books inscribed  by
Frost  and  signed  with  just his first name  are  quite  scarce  and
obviously  intended for people he knew fairly well. We speculate  that
this  is  inscribed  to Frederic Melcher, a  bookseller  and  longtime
co-editor  of PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY who befriended Frost. A New Englander
by  birth, Melcher successfully campaigned to promote the sale of both
this  book  and  Frost's  second book, NORTH OF  BOSTON.  In  1921  he
established  the  John Newbery Medal and in 1937 the Caldecott  Medal,
both  awarded  for children's literature. In later years  he  assisted
Frost's  daughters  in  a  number of ways including  help  with  their
bookstore   in  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts.   Recenty,  a   previously
unpublished  poem  by  Frost  was discovered inscribed in  a  book  to
Melcher. Very minor soiling. About Fine                       $3500.00

-- 

All books subject to prior sale.  Cash with order; institutions may be billed. 
Postage additional:  $8.00 for the first book, $4.00 each thereafter.  Overseas 
postage billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania residents must add 6% sales 
tax.  Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover accepted.  Books may be 
returned within 7 days of receipt for any reason provided they are in the same 
condition as sent and prior notice is given. Please insure returns for their 
full value.  We carry a diverse stock with major specialties including Modern 
and 19th Century Literary First Editions, Autographed Books, and Limited 
Editions Club books.  We are proud to be members of the Antiquarian Booksellers 
Association of America (ABAA) and the International League of Antiquarian 
Booksellers (ILAB) as well as the Manuscript Society and the Universal Autograph 
Collectors Club (UACC).  Please feel free to contact us with any wants or 
offerings.  Thank you.

CHARLES AGVENT
291 Linden Road
Mertztown, PA  19539-8750
Voice/Fax: 610-682-4750
agvent at erols.com
Visit our home page:  http://www.erols.com/agvent