POEMS

First paperback edition (simultaneous with the hardback), first printing. Original stapled fawn card wrappers, in the turquoise dustwrapper lettered in black to the front panel. A near fine copy, the binding firm, the contents clean throughout. Light toning to wraps and to the margins of the dustwrapper, a little rubbed to the spine fold and tips. Not price-clipped ($0.50 to the front flap).

Berryman's first book was issued as part of the New Directions series, 'The Poet of the Month', "issued monthly, uniform in size but each number individual in design and printed by a different fine press." Berryman's instalment, printed by Hawthorn House, Windham, Connecticut, came about, the jacket explains as a consequence of having been chosen the year before to contribute to the annual New Directions anthology, 'Five Young American Poets', as a result of the publisher's annual contest for young poets. "Of the Five Poets of 1941 the one who received the most praise from critics (and it was enthusiastic praise) was John Berryman. So we are very pleased to be able to offer a new collection of the latest work of this extremely talented young writer." Berryman's early poems (earnest, formal, correct) only hint at the distinctive voice that appeared in 'Homage to Mistress Bradstreet' (1956) and was fully formed in the 'Dream Songs' (1964-9), but they offer an intriguing insight into the route he took to get there. Published September 28, 1942, 2000 copies of 'Poems' were printed, 1500 in wrappers, 500 in boards. (Stefanik, Jr. A2)