BALLADS & SONGS. London: John Lane The Bodley Head. Boston: Copeland & Day ..., 1894. Octavo, pp. [1-2] [i-v] vi [1-3] 4-128 [129-131] [132: printer's device] [1-3] 4: ads + 16-page publisher's catalogue dated 1894 inserted at rear, publisher's decorated blue cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold, all edges untrimmed. First edition. Davidson (1857-1909), known in his day as the poet of Anarchy from the gloomy, pessimistic philosophy expressed in his long poetic TESTAMENTS (1901, 1902, 1908), survives through a few lyrics such as "The Ballad of Hell" (included in this collection) and "A Runnable Stag (1906). His last years were wretched. Suspecting he was suffering from cancer, he drowned himself, leaving a destitute family and his most ambitious philosophical drama, "God and Mammon," unfinished. NCBEL III 620. Colbeck I, p. 181. Tiny nick at lower edge of front joint, a couple of mild scuffs to rear cover, a bright, very good copy in an attractive Art Nouveau binding. (#154888).
Price: $100.00
No statement of printing.