Gardner, Isabella (1915–1981)

West of Childhood: Poems 1950–1965 [Signed - Association]

Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1965. First Edition, First Printing.

A remarkable association copy of Isabella Gardner’s National Book Award-nominated collection, inscribed at the legendary Chelsea Hotel to fellow literary figure Ben Raeburn. 

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Dust jacket design features a stylized green leaf motif, echoed by a three-color paste-down illustration on the front board.

+++ Binding: Bound in slate blue cloth with dark blue spine titling and a matching leaf emblem on the cover. Top edge stained green.

+++ Content: Contains poems such as 'The Widow’s Yard', 'Cock-a-Hoop', and 'Summers Ago'. Includes the original errata slip laid in at the rear.

+++ Associated Names: Isabella Gardner (Author); Ben Raeburn (Recipient).

+++ Provenance: Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper: 'January 5th / '67 / Chelsea Hotel / For Ben Raeburn with / affection and respect – / Isabella'.

CONDITION Near Fine in Good Dust Jacket -- The book is structurally excellent; bindings are tight and square, and the interior is clean with only light, even age-toning. The top edge stain remains bright. The dust jacket is unclipped ($4.00) but shows age wear, including scuffing to the surface, edge wear with small chips, and general handling soil. Dimensions: 8 inches tall / ix, 93 pages.

Isabella Gardner was a significant voice in mid-century American poetry, often called a "poet's poet." Though her output was small (only four books in her lifetime), her work was highly regarded for its sonic intensity and emotional depth. West of Childhood was a finalist for the National Book Award in 1966.

The significance of this copy lies in the inscription. It is dated from the Chelsea Hotel, Gardner's residence and the epicenter of New York's bohemian culture in the 1960s.

It is dedicated to Ben Raeburn, the founder of Horizon Press. This links two influential figures of the era: Raeburn, the publisher who championed high-minded literature (Frank Lloyd Wright, Eric Bentley), and Gardner, the celebrated poet. It is a tangible artifact of the 'affection and respect' between a publisher and a poet living and working in the same tight-knit New York literary circle.

SUBJECTS: Isabella Gardner, Ben Raeburn, Chelsea Hotel, American Poetry, New York School, Horizon Press, Literary History, Women Poets, National Book Award Finalists, 1960s Literature.

Item #21512

Price: $35.00