Poetry London Volume 2, Number 9 (1943)

with three superb original lithographs by Graham Sutherland

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First edition, stapled covers. 24 × 19cm, 64pp.

A wartime edition of this poetry and literary magazine. This issue carries three colour lithographs by Graham Sutherland being his illustrations to Francis Quarles' Hyroglyphics. Printed on high grade cartridge paper (the text of the magazine is on ordinary wartime economy paper), the lithos have been printed from the original stones by the Baynard Press. There is a double spread lithograph called Folded Hills and Blazing Taper with centre fold and staples (242 × 367 mm) and printed on the reverse of each side is Folded Hills, and Twisted Branch (both 242 × 183mm). These works were commissioned by the Nicholson & Watson for Poetry London. The cover is also an original Sutherland design.

The magazine also carries a decent selection of 1940s poetry, including Keith Douglas and Alun Lewis (both still alive at this point and both to die later in the war), Dylan Thomas, Charles Williams, Wrey Gardiner, Boris Pasternak etc etc and prose by Kathleen Raine, Henry Miller and Walter de la Mare.

Condition

This copy is in good plus condition, particularly when considering the wartime production of such magazines. There is rubbing to the spine, and some creasing to the covers' edges, and a corner crease at the top corner going in to about page 16 but this is minor once beyond the front cover. There is a marginal tear to page 21, not affecting text. The Graham Sutherland lithographs are in very good condition, there is a hint of rusting to the staples but doesn't seemed to have stained the pages. A very nice copy.

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