PATCHEN, Kenneth

Patchen's First Will & Testament [Inscribed Copy]

New York: Padell, 1948. Second Edition. Octavo (22.5cm). Red cloth boards, stamped in gilt and black on spine and front cover; dustjacket; 177pp. Warmly inscribed by Patchen on front free endpaper: "for Charles M. McKenna / with every good wish," signed and dated 1950. Also laid in is an autograph note to McKenna from Miriam Patchen, signed by her, transmitting the signed book: "1st Will signed to Mr. McKenna on its way - and many thanks to all you good people out there / Miriam." A tight, Near Fine copy of the book, in the second issue dustwrapper (priced $2.50), lightly dusted, edge-toned but still easily Very Good.

Reissue of Patchen's second book, a collection of poems originally published by New Directions in 1939. This edition adds the poem "For Miriam" and a halftone photographic portrait frontispiece of the Patchens, else the text is identical to the 1939 edition. The relation of recipient McKenna to the Patchens is not clear to us, though there appears to have been a medical doctor of some prominence working in Chicago at this time, a fact which in combination with Patchen's life-long history of physical infirmity leads to one possible connection. MORGAN A2b.

Price: $450.00

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