POET–PAINTER MODERNISM

Hartley, Marsden (1877–1943)

Selected Poems [Posthumous First Edition in Dust Jacket]

New York: The Viking Press, 1945.

A posthumous gathering of poems by one of America’s most distinctive modernist painters, revealing the parallel literary voice that accompanied his visual work. 

While Hartley achieved recognition primarily as a painter within the Stieglitz circle, this volume positions his poetry as an equally serious artistic pursuit—intimate, reflective, and often spiritually charged. The collection is particularly notable for its integration of visual and literary expression, including reproductions of nine Hartley paintings that reinforce the deep connection between his poetic themes and his modernist visual language. This volume stands as the first substantial presentation of Hartley’s poetic achievement, offering a primary look into the internal landscape behind his celebrated canvases.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Illustrated with 9 plates reproducing paintings by Hartley; title page features a photographic reproduction of a sculptural bust of the author by Jacques Lipchitz. 
+++ Binding: Original cloth; tight and square. 
+++ Specs: 9.25 inches tall; xi, 139 pages.
+++ Dust Jacket: Features a striking modernist design by Edgard Cirlin; original $3.00 price intact. 
+++ Content: Includes a foreword emphasizing the rarity of Hartley's poetic output, much of which remained private during his life.
+++ Imprint: The Viking Press, New York, 1945. 

CONDITION: Very Good+ in a Very Good-minus Jacket.
+++ The Book: The bindings are tight and square. The internal pages are clean and free of markings, showing only light, even age-toning consistent with mid-1940s paper stock. Minimal shelf handling wear to the boards.
+++ The Jacket: The Edgard Cirlin jacket presents well despite light shelf handling. There is a small ding and a minor area of loss at the letter 'E' of 'Selected' on the spine. It remains a sharp, bright example of a mid-century Viking Press design.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE --
Marsden Hartley occupies a central place in the history of American Modernism. As a member of Alfred Stieglitz’s '291' circle, he was at the forefront of introducing European abstraction to American shores.

This 1945 edition is the definitive entry point for understanding Hartley as a 'Total Artist.' By presenting his poems alongside his paintings, Viking Press created a landmark 'Artist-Poet' volume that serves as a bridge between the American literary and visual avant-gardes.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Interdisciplinary Study: A primary document of cross-media modernist practice, illustrating the juxtaposition of Hartley’s engagement with abstraction and his symbolic poetic verse.
+++ Transatlantic Context: Reflects the influence of Hartley’s Berlin period and his position within the transatlantic avant-garde movements.
+++ Posthumous Curation: Represents the first significant effort to solidify Hartley's literary legacy alongside his visual reputation.

SUBJECTS: Marsden Hartley, American Modernism, Artist-Poets, 20th Century Poetry, Modern Art and Literature, Poetry, Modernist Literature, Art & Artist Books.

Item #21916

Price: $45.00