[Rarebooks] FS: Possibly the first book of American poetry published about World War II

[Charles Agvent]

 From our new internet-only End of Summer Catalogue containing 140 items in a 
variety of fields including scarce Americana and Law, unusual Baseball and other 
Sporting items, and uncommon Modern First Editions. View it here: 
http://www.erols.com/agvent

RUKEYSER, Muriel. WAKE ISLAND. Garden City: Doubleday, Doran & Co.,
Inc.  1942.  First  Edition. Printed rose wraps, the second  and  much
more  common  binding.  This copy has laid into it a letter  from  the
publisher  dated  7  August 1942 announcing the  publication  of  this
volume  and  presenting it to the recipient. In part: "In WAKE  ISLAND
may  be found the hopes and aspirations of a militant youth who  fight
to  make men free." An early if not the first book of American  poetry
published whose primary subject matter is World War II. Fine   $150.00

RUKEYSER, Muriel. WAKE ISLAND. Garden City: Doubleday, Doran & Co.,
Inc.  1942.  First  Edition.  Pictorial  boards  depicting  ships  and
planes  around the island of the title. The first, suppressed  binding
and  very  scarce.  It  seems   Rukeyser  was  dissatisfied  with  the
illustration  on the cover, and most copies were destroyed. This  copy
is  INSCRIBED  and  SIGNED  by the poet on the  title  page  to  noted
collector  Eugene L. Delafield "a long time later" in 1952.  Delafield
has  noted  in pencil on the front pastedown a publication date of  21
August  1942  and on the copyright page: "circa 200 in this  binding."
An  early  if  not the first book of American poetry  published  whose
primary  subject matter is World War II. Minor wear to spine tips  and
darkening  to  the  top of the front cover affecting the  top  of  the
title lettering. Very Good or better and quite scarce.        $1000.00

-- 

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