West-Running Brook
Hard Cover. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1928. First Edition. Near Fine / Dust Jacket Included.
Illustrated by J. J. Lankes. First edition, first printing, first state, without an edition statement to the copyright page. Signed and inscribed by Frost: "Robert Frost/ Wesleyan/ 1929". Original publisher's paper-covered boards over green cloth; dust jacket lettered in green, ruled in red. About fine with slight rubbing to the spine ends; unclipped dust jacket with some wear and small chips at the corners and spine, spine lightly toned, else near fine. Crane A10. West-Running Brook is a collection of 39 poems, including "Spring Pools," "A Peck of Gold," "Once the Pacific," "Acquainted With the Night," "Canis Major," "A Passing Glimpse," "The Peaceful Shepherd," "The Flower," and "On Looking Up By Chance at the Constellations," among others. The poems are thematically divided into six sections: "I: Spring Pools," "II: Fiat Nox," "III: West-Running Brook," "IV: Sand Dunes," "V: Over Back," and "VI: My Native Simile." Throughout the text, Frost uses nature as allegory for human interactions and political themes. For example, the titular "West-Running Brook" involves a husband and wife conversing about a brook that runs west instead of east, which Frost uses as a symbol for the importance of contrast to achieve harmony in personal relationships. The text is illustrated with woodcuts by Lankes, and their rough beauty is perfectly paired with Frost's verse.
Item #RF064
Price: $1,500.00
