In the Day of Battle

1916, an early anthology of Great Poetry, and the first apprearance in book form of John McCrae's In Flanders Fields

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Printing Details

First edition. Hardback, quarter cloth with title labels to spine and upper board. 20 × 13cm, 166pp.

An impressive early collection of Great War poetry, of chief importance is this is the first appearance in book form of John McCrae's In Flanders Fields. It had previously only been published in Punch in December 1915. In Flanders Fields is McCrae's lament written after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. (McCrae was unhappy with the poem and discarded it, but it was retrieved by his fellow soldiers). The book also contains verse by Rupert Brooke, Lawrence Binyon, W W Gibson, Christopher Morley, C A Renshaw, Owen Seaman, Robert W Service, Mary Webb, and Edith Wharton and many more.

The editor, Carrie Ellen Holman, was a Canadian who worked with the Red Cross in England during the Great War.

This book comes from the library of historian, anthologist and author on the First and Second World Wars, Anne Powell, with her name plate to the front pastedown.

Condition

Good condition for age. The covers are rubbed and marked, but the inner binding is secure and the book remains in strong readable condition. Previous owner's gift inscription from Christmas 1916.

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