Beschreibung:

DE LA MARE, Walter (1873-1956). Songs of Childhood. By Walter Ramal . London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1902. 8 o. Frontispiece. Original vellum-paper-backed cloth, t.e.g. others uncut (some slight soiling); cloth folding case. Provenance : J.N. Hart (presentation inscription); the Epstein Family Collection (sold Swann Galleries, 29 April 1992, lot 110). FIRST EDITION OF THE AUTHOR'S FIRST BOOK. PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed by De la Mare to J.N. Hart, January 1942, with 12-lines of verse from his poem "Gone" ("Where's the Queen of Sheba?...") This verse is the last in his book Bells & Grass which was published in 1941, shortly before the book was sent to Start. [ Laid in: ] DE LA MARE. Autograph letter signed, to J.N. Hart, 8 January 1942. 1 page, oblong 8vo . De la Mare forwards the book to Hart and recalls: "It's ages since we met & I feasted my eyes on your gardens, etc..."