Selected Poems

New York: Harper & Row, 1963. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover. Near fine/very good. Signed first edition of Selected Poems by Gwendolyn Brooks, inscribed to the book editor of the Kansas City Star, Thorpe Menn. Octavo, 127pp, [3]. Green and black paper-covered boards. Title printed on front cover and spine. Stated "First Edition" with publisher's "G-N" code on copyright page. Solid text block, slight lean at spine, light rubbing along edges. A near fine copy. In the publisher's dust jacket, $3.95 retail price on front flap, some chips along top edge, two-inch closed tear to front panel. (Blockson 6335) Inscribed on the title page: "For Thorpe Menn, with sincere admiration and appreciation. Sincerely, Gwendolyn Brooks / April 17, 1964." Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000), a renowned author, was the first African American to receive a Pulitzer Prize. Her book of poetry, Annie Allen, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry on May 1, 1950.