FIRST TRADE EDITION OF IN COUNTRY SLEEP, INSCRIBED BY DYLAN THOMAS IN THE YEAR OF PUBLICATION

THOMAS, Dylan. In Country Sleep. (New York): New Directions, (1952). Slim octavo, original blue-green boards, original dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. $14,500.

First trade edition, published only one year before Thomas’ death, inscribed in the year of publication: "To David Bork from Dylan Thomas 1952," in scarce dust jacket.

Dylan Thomas' last collection of new poetry includes "Poem on His Birthday," the famed villanelle "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night," "Lament" and "In Country Sleep." Interviewed just before the book's publication, Thomas said, "I've never seen what a poem really looks like. But I keep trying" (Ferris, 274). He died the following year. With photograph of Thomas mounted on the title page. The first trade edition was published the same year as the signed limited first edition of only 100 copies. Rolph B15. Maud, 18. Private library stamp of the inscribee, David Bort. Laid-in typed letter from The Poetry Center in 1953 informing the subscriber of schedule changes in light of Dylan Thomas' death. Laid-in card acknowledging contribution to The Dylan Thomas Fund.

Book fine, price-clipped dust jacket extremely good with very faint dampstaining and light wear and toning mainly to extremities. A wonderful inscribed copy.