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Cole, Henri : Middle Earth: Poems

Farrar Straus & Giroux, New York City, NY, 2003

ISBN 0374208816

First Edition / First Printing. Fine in Fine Dust Jacket. 60 pages. The author's fifth collection of poems. One of Henri Cole's finest achievements. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only. Publisher's removable "Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award" round gold sticker pasted (NOT printed) in front of the First-State DJ. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents Henri Cole's "Middle Earth: Poems". Melancholy and ecstatic poems on desire. The Japanese "Zo-onna" mask shown on the DJ Cover alludes to the poet's intimate connection to Japan. He was born there, has written about his Japanese-inspired rituals and ways in his poetry, and wrote the poems in this particular collection while living in Kyoto on a "US-Japan Friendship" fellowship. "Written in an open style that is both erotic and visionary. Thrillingly portrays the physical world, man's creaturely self, the cyclical strain of desire and self-reproach" (Boston Review). "The fullest culmination to date of an original voice and a central poet of his generation" (Harold Bloom). "I don't have the time to invest in what / I purport to desire" (Henri Cole). An absolute "must-have" title for Henri Cole collectors. This copy is very prominently, neatly, and beautifully signed, dated, and inscribed in black ink-pen on the front free endpaper (his dedication) and title page (his signature) by the author: "April 16, 2004 To John and Billie, friends to poetry, With gratitude, Henri Cole". It is signed directly on the pages themselves, not on a tipped-in page. Henri Cole's signature is clean, flowing, and elegant. The recipient-couple, who are named, are unmistakably close to the author. This title is a great book. As far as we know, this is the only such signed, dated, and inscribed copy of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, a beauty. Please note: Henri Cole does NOT do public signings. Copies available online have serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A rare signed copy thus. Winner of the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award in 2004 for "Middle Earth: Poems". Regarded by Harold Bloom as a canonical American poet. One of the most brilliant poets of our time. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER HENRI COLE TITLES IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 0374208816.

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