The Life and Letters of Edward Thomas (signed by poet Alun Lewis)

1939, a rare copy gifted from Alun Lewis to his wife, Gweno, in Christmas 1942, just before he embarked for India in WW2

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Printing Details

First edition. Hardback, bound in the original brown cloth with gilt titling to spine. 22 × 14.5cm, xvii + 343pp.

This copy was given by poet Alun Lewis to his wife, Gweno, in 1942, and has a small handwritten label tipped in to the ffep which reads "In proof of my presence and of my love, To Gweno from Alun, Xmas 1942". Alun and Gweno met in 1939 and married in 1941. In 1942 Alun Lewis's regiment shipped to India and she was never to see him again, he died in Burma in 1944. Gweno lived until 2016, working to keep her husband's poetry in print.

Provenance: This copy comes from the library of historian and anthologist Anne Powell who became close friends with Gweno Lewis, and was passed to her from Gweno. This copy carries Anne Powell's nameplate to the front pastedown.

John Moore's brief autobiography of poet Edward Thomas who was killed at Arras in 1917, along with a selection of his letters including to his wife, Helen, as well as Gordon Bottomley, Eleanor Farjeon, W H Hudson et al.

Edward Thomas had a deep influence on the work of Alun Lewis, both being wartime poets with a strong Welsh heritage. That influence can be seen in Lewis's poetry such as All Day it Has Rained (written whilst Lewis was stationed in Hampshire with the Royal Engineers and was walking "Edward Thomas country"), and his "To Edward Thomas, also known as On Visiting the Memorial Stone above Steep" noting their connection of being reluctant soldiers and shared love of landscape.

Condition

Good plus condition. The book is in good sound shape with quite heavy foxing and tanning to the prelims and page edges, and some mottled marking to the fore-edge of the front and rear boards. The inner binding is secure, and Alun Lewis's handwritten note is clear, if a little foxed to the edges. The book remains in strong readable condition. Signed Alun Lewis material is scarce and is rarely offered for sale.

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