[Selected Poems in] THE AUGUSTAN BOOKS OF ENGLISH POETRY

1931. [twice signed by Lily Yeats] Second Series [Number Four]. [London: Ernest Benn, 1931.] Original reddish-brown wrappers with front cover cut-out revealing "W.B. YEATS" underneath.

First Edition, third impression (so stated -- "February 1931"); the first impression had come out in 1927. Humbert Wolfe edited this Second Series (and provided an Introduction here); ultimately this series consisted of at least the 30 numbers shown in this 1931 copy. (The First Series of THE AUGUSTAN BOOKS, edited by Edward Thompson, had consisted of 56 titles published in 1925-1926.) This third impression was the first to have this odd front cover, with a window (truncated) showing only Yeats's name. Technically, being page [i], it also serves as the volume's title page; this made a lot more sense in the first two impressions, which had a printed front cover that also cited the publisher, volume Number, etc. Condition is very good (some wear along the delicate spine, two tiny wormholes going from the rear cover most of the way through the sixteen leaves). Wade 155. This is a presentation copy inscribed by the poet's sister, "Birdie with love | from | Lily Yeats | Xmas 1933". Also, loosely inserted is a similarly-inscribed postcard, with an Irish stamp, with an image of "W.B. Yeats (when a Boy) by J.B. Yeats"; the postcard is addressed to "Mrs Tandy" in Norfolk, and bears the inscription "with love & good wishes | from | Lily Yeats | Xmas 1932". (Presumably, Mrs Tandy was "Birdie.") Lily Yeats (actual name Susan Mary Yeats) was W.B. Yeats's sister, an extremely talented embroiderer who was very much a part of the Celtic Revival (having founded the embroidery end of Cuala Industries until it was dissolved in 1931, the year this booklet was published). The postcard image brings in Lily's and W.B.'s brother Jack -- leaving only the other sister Elizabeth _not_ tied to this booklet and card. (Inventory #: 15706)