THE POETICAL WORKS OF JONATHAN E. HOAG ... Biographical and Critical Preface by Howard P. Lovecraft. New York: [Privately published], 1923. Octavo, pp. [1-6] [i-ii] iii-vii [viii] ix-x [xi-xii] 1-72 [73-78] [note: first three and last three leaves are blanks], inserted frontispiece (photographic portrait of Hoag), original blue cloth, front and spine panels stamped in gold, t.e.g. First edition. This privately printed book was anonymously edited by Lovecraft, who contributed the preface and six poems. Presentation copy (as are most) with signed inscription by Hoag dated 16 July 1923 to "Mr. and Mrs. Grant [indecipherable last name] and children" on recto of second blank. Jonathan Ethan Hoag (1831-1927), a New York poet living in and around Troy, entered amateur journalism late in life. Lovecraft wrote birthday poems for Hoag from 1918 to 1927. While editing Hoag's POETICAL WORKS, Lovecraft, along with Samuel Loveman and James F. Morton, revised some of Hoag's poetry. The book, privately printed at Hoag's expense in 1923, constituted the first appearance of a work by Lovecraft in hardcover. Lovecraft waived "all monetary remuneration for my share of the editing" in exchange for twenty copies of the book. Joshi I-D-i-2. Spine lettering a bit dull, a very good copy. (#159844).
Price: $350.00
"AUTHOR'S EDITION" on title page.