The Beautiful Changes and Other Poems

New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, 1947. A very good copy in a somewhat worn jacket, with chips at corners, and a loss affecting text along spine panel. 8vo. 55 pages. Original tan cloth; printed dust jacket. Provenance: William Targ, American author, editor, and publisher. FIRST EDITION of Wilbur's first book of poetry, published in an edition of 750 copies. PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed to William Targ on the title: "For William Targ / With pleasant recollections of our long-ago meeting / Richard Wilbur Cummington Mass. 1971." And with a fine autograph letter signed ("Richard Wilbur") laid in, to the writer and editor William Targ, 12 October n.y. [but before 1964 when Targ left the firm]. One page, 4to, folded. Wilbur writes to Targ at World Publishing Co. saying that he has reached "a negative conclusion about the Lincoln book. Because it is not quite close enough to my existing techniques and concerns, I'd have to force it and it wouldn't turn out well." Wilbur goes on to suggest some possible alternatives, including Winfield Towley Scott, Anthony Hecht "one of the best younger poets in the country," and Donald Hall. A very fine letter, revealing Wilbur's thoughts on some of his contemporaries. (Inventory #: 406006)