Kooser, Ted
A LOCAL HABITATION & A NAME
San Luis Obispo: Solo Press, 1974
- $35
San Luis Obispo: Solo Press, 1974. 1st edition, original illustrated paperwraps (as issued). An early collection of seventy-six poems by Kooser, who would go on to become US Poet Laureate (2004-2006). A full rear cover photo of the author by John Spence. A fine copy showing very little wear.
More from Jett W. Whitehead Rare Books
BRAIDED CREEK: A CONVERSATION IN POETRY
Port Townsend: Copper Canyon Press, 2003. 1st edition, limited (1/26) lettered and signed, leather and cloth bound, without dust jacket (as issued). The text (pp. 85) is a long, ongoing conversation between Kooser and Harrison, written in verse. The present copy is designated as copy "S" on the colophon page. Additionally, each poet has written out a poem in his own hand on one of the free end pages, and both poets have signed the book on the half-title page. A wonderful collaboration between these two friends, and offered here in the very scarce lettered limited edition. Fine condition.
HATCHER
Lincoln: Windflower Press, 1978. 1st edition, original illustrated paperwraps (as issued). "First Printing" is so noted on title page. Specially inscribed "For Gerald" and signed (by "Hatcher") on the FEP in black ink. Additionally, laid in is a typed letter signed by Kooser to Gerald on Wind Flower Press letterhead which prints Ted Kooser as editor. The oversized (11 inches high x 8.5 inches wide) illustrated publication is in fine condition. One of Kooser's most varied (and humorous) publications.
A CONVERSATION
Kooser, Ted and Jim Harrison West Chester, 2002 West Chester: Aralia Press, 2002. 1st edition, limited (1/26) lettered and signed, black cloth binding, without dust jacket (as issued). Printed in a limited edition of only 150 copies, most copies were bound in paperwraps. The present offering is one of only twenty-six, designated as copy "D" and signed by both Harrison and Kooser on the colophon page, and bound in black cloth. Not to be confused with "Braided Creek: A Conversation in Poetry" published a year later (2003) by Copper Canyon. The present volume is small and square (5 inches). Fine condition, very scarce.- $350
- $350
FLYING AT NIGHT: POEMS 1965-1985
Kooser, Ted Pittsburgh, 2005 Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2005. 1st edition, full navy blue cloth, with illustrated dust jacket. Specially signed by Kooser on the title page in black ink. For the present title "Kooser has selected poems from two of his earlier works, SURE SIGNS and ONE WORLD AT A TIME" (Pittsburgh Press web site). Quite scarce in cloth, and especially so signed. Bright, fine condition.- $225
- $225
TRAVELS
Levy, John. (Ralph J. Mills, Jr.) Surrey, UK, 1984 Surrey, UK: Tony Baker, 1984. 1st edition, original illustrated wire stitched paperwraps (as issued). Published as number eight in the FIGlet booklets series, offshoots of FIGS magazine. Inscribed "to Ralph J. Mills / with best wishes, / John Levy / April 11, 1984 / Meligala" on the colophon page in blue ink. Laid in is a typed letter to Ralph J. Mills, also signed by Levy in blue ink. The letter was typed and sent from Meligala, Greece, where the author was living at the time. In addition to several poetry publications, Levy was also known as a travel writer (FROMMER'S GREECE ON $30 A DAY, with Kyle McCarthy) and others. Minimal shelf wear, else fine.- $20
- $20
WEATHER CENTRAL
Kooser, Ted Pittsburgh, 1994 Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1994. 1st edition, black cloth, without dust jacket (as issued). A collection of fifty-eight poems, arranged in seven sections. Also issued in paperwraps, this first edition is one of only a few copies bound in black cloth, and without dust jacket. Published as a title in the Pitt Poetry Series by Ed Ochester. A clean, bright fine copy.- $75
- $75
THE BLIZZARD VOICES
Kooser, Ted. (Tom Pohrt, illus.) Minneapolis, 1986 Minneapolis: Bieler Press, 1986. 1st edition, limited (1/200) numbered and signed, decorated boards, without dust jacket (as issued). A collection of poems, "a dramatized narrative of the devastation unleashed by the great blizzard of January 12, 1888" (from the prospectus, laid in). Signed by Kooser and Pohrt on the colophon page. There was a second issue of this title in paperwraps, published at a later time. Prior owner's neat signature to the FEP, else fine.- $300
- $300
AN UNKINDNESS OF RAVENS
Kearney, Meg Rochester, 2001 Rochester: BOA Editions, 2001. 1st edition, original illustrated stiff paperwraps (as issued). A signed copy of the author's first book, with a highly praised Foreword by Donald Hall. Published as No. 23 in the A. Poulin, Jr. New Poets of America Series. A very strong collection of first poems, ". . . their beauty lies in their language" (Donald Hall, from the Foreword.) Laid in is a full color publicity post card, and a full color book mark, both produced by BOA for this publication. Offered in 'as new' condition.- $30
- $30
THE KINGFISHER
Clampitt, Amy London, 1984 London: Faber and Faber, 1984. 1st English edition, original turquoise paperwraps (as issued). Specially signed by Clampitt on the title page in black ink. The author's first trade publication, first issued in the US by Knopf (1983). The English edition appeared in paperwraps only. Fine condition.- $25
- $25
DELIGHTS & SHADOWS
Kooser, Ted Port Townsend, 2004 Port Townsend: Copper Canyon Press, 2004. 1st edition, limited (1/26) lettered and signed, leather and cloth bound, without dust jacket (as issued). A collection of fifty-nine poems arranged in four sections. This title won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 2005. The present copy is designated letter "C" on the colophon page, and signed in full by Kooser on the title page in black ink. Bright, fine condition.- $300
- $300
MEET ME AT THE LIGHTHOUSE
Gioia, Dana Minneapolis, 2023 Minneapolis: Graywolf Press, 2023. 1st edition, original illustrated paperwraps (as issued). "First Graywolf Printing, 2023" so noted on copyright page. Specially signed by Gioia on title page in black ink. The text includes twenty-three poems presented in five sections, including the final poem in seventeen separate sections. Section II publishes "The Ballad of Jesus Ortiz" (Gioia's great-grandfather). Offered in fine, 'as new' condition, specially signed.- $20
- $20
MEADOWLANDS
Gluck, Louise Hopewell, 1996 Hopewell: Ecco Press, 1996. 1st edition, cloth spine, with illustrated jacket (as issued). Specially inscribed and signed by Gluck on the title page in blue ink. A collection of forty-six poems, arranged in a book-length sequence. Gluck is the recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Pulitzer Prize, and most recently the Nobel Prize in Literature (2020). Fine condition.- $225
- $225
BEFORE THE WAR
Inada, Lawson Fusao New York, 1971 New York: William Morrow and Company, 1971. 1st edition, full white cloth, with illustrated dust jacket. The author's first book, with jacket reviews by Denise Levertov, William Saroyan, and others. The text includes forty-two poems arranged in seven sections. Minimal wear to jacket, else fine condition.- $25
- $25
MEASURE
Hall, Donald Concord, NH, 1983 Concord, NH: Ewert, 1983. 1st edition, limited (1/400) folded single sheet, with illustrated cover. Illustrated with a wood engraving by J.J. Lankes, and specially signed by Hall in black ink below the printed poem. Published as a Christmas greeting. Fine condition.- $50
- $50
O CHEESE. (Broadside.)
Hall, Donald n.p., n.d.. 1st edition, broadside. Specially signed in black ink by Hall. As described in the Kelleher bibliogrphy: "6 x 9 inches; black print on light blue paper. Note: This version includes two extra stanzas not found in the version that appears in KICKING THE LEAVES (Harper & Row, 1978), and OLD AND NEW POEMS (Ticknor and Fields, 1990)" from the Hall bibliography (Kelleher G6). Believed to be the earliest separate printed version of this poem -- one of Hall's trademark verses. Very scarce broadside.- $150
- $150
BRIEF LIVES: SEVEN EPIGRAMS
Hall, Donald Concord, 1983 Concord: Ewert, 1983. 1st edition, limited (1/136) numbered and signed, card stock, with printed envelope (as issued). Each epigram is printed on a separate card in two color ink, and signed by Hall on the numbered colophon card. The entire publication consists of twelve printed cards enclosed in one printed envelope. (Kelleher A22) Quite scarce. Fine condition.- $125
- $125
AT THE WINTER SOLSTICE. (Broadside.)
Kenyon, Jane. (Barry Moser, illustrator.) Concord, NH, 1996 Concord, NH: Ewert, 1996. 1st edition, limited (1/650) illustrated broadside. Illustrated with a relief engraving by Barry Moser, printed directly from the block by the artist. Printed on fine stock, 10.5 inches high x 7.5 inches wide when opened, in two color ink at Firefly Press. Published as a Christmas card for Donald Hall, and issued folded for mailing. A beautiful, bright copy of this scarce Kenyon/Moser broadside. Fine condition.- $100
- $100
STOVES AND KETTLES
Hall, Donald Concord NH, 1990 Concord NH: Ewert, 1990. 1st edition, limited (1/286) holiday card. Specially signed by Hall in black ink below his printed name. Handsomely designed by William B. Ewert, and printed at Firefly Press in December, 1990, for private distribution. Overall size: 10.5 inches high x 7.75 inches wide (when opened). Fine condition.- $45
- $45
The December Stove.
Hall, Donald Concord, NH, 1984 Concord, NH: Ewert, 1984. 1st edition, thus, limited (1/500) illustrated greeting card (as issued). Printed in December 1984 for private distribution, this copy is specially signed by Hall in black ink below his printed name. A different version of this poem was published as the final stanza in THE TWELVE SEASONS (Deerfield Press/Gallery Press, 1983.) The cover illustration of a potbelly stove is by Jane Banquer Burnham. A nice, unusual Hall item.- $35
- $35
THE ONE DAY. (Broadside.)
Hall, Donald New Hampshire, 1993 New Hampshire: Eagle Pond Farm, 1993. 1st edition, privately printed broadside. Specially signed by Hall in black ink below his printed name. Originally issued unsigned, this special broadside of two stanzas from Donald Hall's poem notes the following colophon: "Liam Rector & Tree Swenson announce to their families and friends their marriage, which took place at Eagle Pond Farm in New Hampshire in May of 1993." Handsomely designed and printed in three color ink on tan textured stock, with bottom edge deckled. Overall size: 11 inches high x 7.5 inches wide. Very scarce. (Kelleher G15.) Fine condition.- $95
- $95
OLD ROSES
Hall, Donald. (Mary Azarian, illustrator.) Concord, N. H., 1992 Concord, N. H.: Ewert, 1992. 1st edition, limited (1/450), illustrated cover. Specially signed by Hall below his printed name in black ink. Handsomely designed and printed at Firefly Press, and issued as a holiday greeting in December, 1992, for private distribution. The illustration is printed from an original woodcut in dark green ink. Uncommon Hall item. Fine condition.- $75
- $75