1931. · [London]
by Sitwell, Edith
[London]: Faber & Faber, 1931.. Boards. Illustrated with drawings by R.A. Davies. Upper board somewhat dust-darkened toward edges, otherwise very good or better. First edition, limited issue. An unnumbered copy, in addition to two hundred fifty numbered copies, specially printed on large handmade paper, and specially bound, signed by the author. The dedication copy, inscribed by the author: "To Siegfried Sassoon from Edith Sitwell." The wrapper issues of the Ariel Poems often preceded the limited issues; Fifoot, however, was unable to confirm that in the case of this title. Sitwell also inscribed a copy of the wrapper issue to Sassoon, which sold long ago from our catalogue 125. Sassoon and Edith Sitwell connected as early as 1917, when through Robert Ross, she wrote to him at Craiglockhart to commend him on his anti-war statement. There ensued a long acquaintance, made difficult by Sassoon's animosity toward Osbert. In 1930, she wrote him in the wake of a lapse in their friendship: "...you were one of my most intimate friends, and I have missed you more than I can say...." The following year she dedicated this poem to him. FIFOOT EA22b.
(Inventory #: WRCLIT57510)