ALFRED THE GREAT. Signed.
London: Michael Joseph, 1937.
1st Edition. Hardcover. Signed by Author. First Edition of poet Ralph Gustafson's second book, Inscribed by him on the front free endpaper. "For Mamie - affectionately Ralph, 1937." Additionally, with an extraordinary 1pp. TLS laid-in, dated March 9, 1990, in part, explaining the dedication, the scarcity of the book itself - most copies having been destroyed in the London Blitz and his thoughts for writing the play. "Alfred the great was a result of my interest in Alfred as a figure who stemmed the tide of the invading Danes as Churchill & the Battle Of Britain stemmed the Nazi invasion. I used Alfred as a contemporary symbol of opposition to Fascism even though I, of course, when I wrote the play, I did not know of the 1940's. In the way of youth who dream, I thought Nicholas Medtner might use Alfred as a libretto for an opera!" A very good or better copy in red cloth, silver titles to the spine in a bright, fresh excellent dustwrapper with one thumbnail chip at the heel of the spine. Very nice indeed
Gustafson won the Governor General's Award 1974 for Fire on Stone.
He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1992.
Item #33200 Price: US$785.00