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E-list # 152

From the Library of James Tate

James Tate was one of the most admired and respected poets of his generation. His collections won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the Wallace Stevens Award, among other honors. His first book, The Lost Pilot, was selected for the prestigious Yale Series of Younger Poets while Tate was still a student at the Iowa Writers Workshop. John Ashbery, a lifelong friend and one of the judges who awarded Tate the Wallace Stevens Award, wrote of "the broad appeal of his wonderfully eccentric and generous poetry." Tate died in 2015, and we are fortunate and honored to be able to offer some volumes from his library -- many with his ownership signature, a few inscribed by friends, and a couple with his notes and comments about the books and their authors.
1.
click for a larger image of item #33261, Selected Poems NY, Oxford University Press, 1961. With the ownership signature of James Tate and, before that, John Frederick Nims -- an interesting literary provenance. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. [#033261] SOLD
2.
click for a larger image of item #33262, The Selected Poems, 1951-1977 NY, Norton, (1977). A review copy. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Foxing to edges of text block; very good in a near fine dust jacket. Review slip laid in. Uncommon as an advance copy, and a nice literary association. [#033262] SOLD
3.
click for a larger image of item #33263, Big Table 1-4 Chicago, Big Table, 1959-1960. The first four issues (of a total run of five) of this magazine that sprung to life after the suppression of an issue of the University of Chicago's student literary magazine. The first issue contains the complete contents of the suppressed Winter 1959 issue of the Chicago Review, including a portion of William S. Burroughs' Naked Lunch and Jack Kerouac's "Old Angel Midnight." The name came from a note Kerouac had written himself: "Get a bigger table." Other contributors include Paul Bowles, Gregory Corso, John Ashbery, Gary Snyder, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg, Lew Welch, Robert Duncan, Robert Creeley, Norman Mailer, James Wright, Brother Antonius, and others. All issues exhibit foxing; the second issue has age-toned pages: near fine to very good in wrappers. From the library of James Tate. [#033263] SOLD
4.
click for a larger image of item #33264, Fictions from the Self NY, Norton, (1988). The hardcover issue of this poetry collection. Inscribed by Burkard to James Tate. With Tate's ownership signature, and with Burkard's signature on the title page, separately. Also with a blurb by Tate on the rear cover calling Burkard "a poet of mystery and wonder" and the book "a moving testament to all that is unfathomable about our lives..." A publicity sheet from the publisher featuring the Tate blurb, and others, is laid in. Moderate foxing; near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033264] SOLD
5.
click for a larger image of item #33265, Brothers, I Loved You All NY, Sheep Meadow Press, (1978). The hardcover issue of this collection of poems by the National Book Award-winning poet. Inscribed by Carruth: "To Jim [James Tate] - Good to find you - Hayden." From the library of James Tate, himself a National Book Award-winning poet as well. Mottled boards; very good in a near fine, price-clipped dust jacket. [#033265] SOLD
6.
click for a larger image of item #33266, The Dream of the Unified Field. Selected Poems 1974-1994 (Hopewell), Ecco Press, (1995). Winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Inscribed by Graham to James Tate, with "all my love." From James Tate's library, and with Tate's ownership signature. A nice literary association copy between two Pulitzer Prize-winning poets. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033266] SOLD
7.
click for a larger image of item #33267, The Sense of Movement (Chicago), University of Chicago Press, (1957). The first American edition, one of only 1018 copies printed. An early book by one of the British poets associated with The Movement, which broke new ground in poetry in the 1950s. Gunn's later work gained critical acclaim for his writing on gay themes. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Near fine in a very good, price-clipped dust jacket with internally tape-mended edge wear. [#033267] SOLD
8.
click for a larger image of item #33268, The Man with Night Sweats NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1992). The first American edition of one of his most highly praised books. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Mottling to boards; near fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033268] SOLD
9.
click for a larger image of item #33269, Exiles and Marriages NY, Viking, 1955. His first collection, winner of the 1955 Lamont Poetry Prize. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Additional signature on front pastedown, of a Southern playwright; near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033269] SOLD
10.
click for a larger image of item #33270, Exiles and Marriages NY, Viking, 1955. His first collection, winner of the 1955 Lamont Poetry Prize. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Near fine in a very good, sunned dust jacket. [#033270] SOLD
11.
click for a larger image of item #33271, The Yellow Room NY, Harper & Row, (1971). Second printing. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with wear at the crown. [#033271] SOLD
12.
click for a larger image of item #33272, The Old Life Boston/NY, Houghton Mifflin, 1996. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Fine in a very near fine dust jacket with a little foxing on the verso. [#033272] SOLD
13.
click for a larger image of item #33273, History is Your Own Heartbeat Urbana, University of Illinois Press, (1972). The second printing of his second collection of poems. Inscribed by the author: "For Jim" [James Tate] in 1975. Additionally signed in full by Harper on the title page, and with Tate's signature ["Tate"] in pencil on the half title. Fine in wrappers. A nice association and an early inscription. [#033273] SOLD
14.
click for a larger image of item #33274, Song: I Want a Witness (Pittsburgh), U. of Pittsburgh Press, (1972). The wrappered issue. Inscribed by the author: "For Jim" [James Tate] in 1975. Additionally signed in full by Harper on the title page, and with Tate's signature ["Tate"] in pencil on the half title. Near fine in wrappers. [#033274] SOLD
15.
click for a larger image of item #33275, Debridement Garden City, Doubleday, 1973. The wrappered issue. Inscribed by the author: "For Jim" [James Tate] in 1975. Additionally signed in full by Harper on the title page, and with Tate's signature ["Tate"] in pencil on the half title. Near fine in wrappers. [#033275] SOLD
16.
click for a larger image of item #33276, Human Wishes NY, Ecco, (1989). The hardcover issue. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Several pencil marks in the Table of Contents; minor mottling to boards; near fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033276] SOLD
17.
click for a larger image of item #33277, Preoccupations. Selected Prose 1968-1978 NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1980). The first American edition of the Nobel Prize-winning author's first prose collection. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Newsweek review of Heaney's work laid in. Foxing to the edges of the text block; very good in a very good, spine-tanned dust jacket with an edge tear to the front gutter. [#033277] SOLD
18.
click for a larger image of item #33278, Station Island NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1985). James Tate's copy of the first American edition, with his ownership signature, and with Tate's handwritten notes on dozens of pages. Additionally, laid in are two pages of Tate's holograph notes on the book and on other Irish writing and a two-page typed draft of the same. The notes are folded and edge-curled; the book is foxed on the edges of the text block and is near fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033278] SOLD
19.
click for a larger image of item #33279, The Haw Lantern NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1987). The first American edition. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Laid in is a printout of Heaney's included poem "The Stone Grinder," on Icelandic hotel stationery. The poem is irregularly folded in fourths; the book is fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033279] SOLD
20.
click for a larger image of item #33280, Selected Poems, 1966-1987 NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1990). The first American edition of this landmark collection by the Nobel Prize winner. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Foxing to page edges; very good in a fine dust jacket. Laid in is a printout of Heaney's obituary from the New York Times. [#033280] SOLD
21.
click for a larger image of item #33281, Seeing Things NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1991). The first American edition. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Foxing to page edges; very good in a fine dust jacket. [#033281] SOLD
22.
click for a larger image of item #33282, The Redress of Poetry NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1995). The first American edition. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033282] SOLD
23.
click for a larger image of item #33283, Crediting Poetry NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1996). With the ownership signature of James Tate. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033283] SOLD
24.
click for a larger image of item #33284, Death of the Kapowsin Tavern NY, Harcourt, Brace & World, (1965). The second collection by Hugo. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Slight mottling to boards; very good in a good dust jacket, with 2" edge tears at the lower spine and front flap fold. Uncommon. [#033284] SOLD
25.
click for a larger image of item #33285, What Thou Lovest Well, Remains American NY, Norton, (1975). The hardcover issue. Inscribed by the author. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Poems of the American West, by a Montana poet whose poetry was twice nominated for the National Book Award, and who was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in two different genres -- fiction and poetry. Hugo also became editor of the prestigious Yale Younger Poets series a few years after this book was published. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with a bit of dampstaining visible on the verso. [#033285] SOLD
26.
click for a larger image of item #33286, 31 Letters and 13 Dreams NY, Norton, (1977). The hardcover issue of this collection, which was also issued simultaneously in softcover. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Trace foxing to the top edge, else fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033286] SOLD
27.
click for a larger image of item #33287, The Right Madness on Skye NY, Norton, (1980). A review copy of the hardcover issue. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Foxing to edges of text block; near fine in a fine dust jacket, with review slip laid in. [#033287] SOLD
28.
click for a larger image of item #33288, The Real West Marginal Way NY, Norton, (1986). Hugo's posthumously published autobiography, in the form of essays and interviews, edited by Hugo's widow, Ripley, and the poet James Welch and his wife, Lois. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Remainder stripe lower edge of text block; else fine in a very near fine dust jacket. [#033288] SOLD
29.
click for a larger image of item #33289, Lord Weary's Castle and The Mills of the Kavanaughs Cleveland/NY, Meridian/World, (1966). Later printing. An author's copy, as declared on the half title: "This book belongs to Robert Lowell (Cal)." Additionally signed by Lowell upside down on the last page, and beneath that, afterwards, inscribed by Lowell, "To Robin with all my love," and with an arrow indicating from Lowell. And, from the library of James Tate. Paperback: rubbed covers; very good. A unique copy of this paperback edition that reprints two of Lowell's early collections. [#033289] SOLD
30.
click for a larger image of item #33290, The Conversions NY, Random House, (1962). Mathews' uncommon first novel. Mathews was primarily a poet, and was the co-founder, along with New York poets John Ashbery, Kenneth Koch and James Schuyler, of the short-lived but highly respected literary quarterly Locus Solus. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Near fine in a very good, rubbed dust jacket with modest edge wear. [#033290] SOLD
31.
click for a larger image of item #33291, Tlooth Garden City, Doubleday/Paris Review, (1966). His second novel, also uncommon. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. [#033291] SOLD
32.
click for a larger image of item #33292, Cigarettes NY, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, (1987). A novel, his first in over a decade. Inscribed by the author in the month of publication: not inscribed to James Tate, but with Tate's ownership signature. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033292] SOLD
33.
click for a larger image of item #33293, Sleek for the Long Flight NY, Random House, (1972). Inscribed by Matthews to James Tate in the year of publication, in the Hartford Airport bar: "For Jim, 'Is it a worke of Nature or of Art?' Spenser (!?)/ Bill." With Tate's ownership signature. Faint mottling to cloth; near fine in a near fine, lightly rubbed dust jacket. A nice association. [#033293] SOLD
34.
click for a larger image of item #33294, Flood Boston, Atlantic Monthly/Little Brown, (1982). Inscribed by Matthews to James Tate. With Tate's ownership signature. Laid in is an autograph postcard signed by Matthews to poet Lee Upton that begins, "I love Jim Tate's work..." The card is near fine. The book has some small stains on the rear flyleaf and some faint foxing; about near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033294] SOLD
35.
click for a larger image of item #33295, Mirabell: Books of Number NY, Atheneum, 1978. Winner of the National Book Award. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Laid in is a 1995 newspaper clipping on Merrill's passing. Minor foxing; near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033295] SOLD
36.
click for a larger image of item #33296, Selected Poems, 1946-1985 NY, Knopf, 1992. A signature collection of Merrill's poems. With the ownership signature of James Tate on the front free endpaper, and some pencil ticks on the list of Books by James Merrill facing the half-title. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033296] SOLD
37.
click for a larger image of item #33297, A Different Person NY, Knopf, 1993. A memoir, published just 18 months before the poet's death. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033297] SOLD
38.
click for a larger image of item #33298, The Miner's Pale Children NY, Atheneum, 1970. A book of short prose pieces by the award-winning poet. Inscribed by Merwin to James Tate, with love, in Amherst, in 1996, and with Tate's ownership signature. A nice association between two poets who each won the Pulitzer Prize (Merwin twice) and the National Book Award. Some mottling to cloth; very good in a near fine, sunned dust jacket. [#033298] SOLD
39.
click for a larger image of item #33299, Unframed Originals NY, Atheneum, 1982. The hardcover issue of this collection of autobiographical recollections. Inscribed by the author at the Gotham Book Mart in 1983: "For Matthew, who keeps the books/ with good wishes." The recipient was Matthew Monahan, who worked as manager and rare book specialist at the Gotham Book Mart for a number of years. From the library of James Tate. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033299] SOLD
40.
click for a larger image of item #33300, Opening the Hand NY, Atheneum, 1983. The hardcover issue of this collection of poems. Signed by the author, and with the ownership signature of James Tate. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033300] SOLD
41.
click for a larger image of item #33301, The Rain in the Trees NY, Knopf, 1988. The hardcover issue. A collection of poems. Signed by the author in the year of publication. From the library of James Tate. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033301] SOLD
42.
click for a larger image of item #33302, The Lost Upland. Stories of Southwest France NY, Knopf, 1992. Three long prose pieces about the region of France where Merwin has lived and had a house for many years. Inscribed by Merwin to James Tate, with love, in Amherst, in 1996. Near fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033302] SOLD
43.
click for a larger image of item #33303, Travels NY, Knopf, 1993. A collection of new poems, his first in five years. Inscribed by Merwin to James Tate, with love, in Amherst, in 1996, and with Tate's ownership signature. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033303] SOLD
44.
click for a larger image of item #33304, The Vixen NY, Knopf, 1996. Inscribed by Merwin to James Tate, with love, in Amherst, in the year of publication. A handful of the poems are marked with tiny stars, in pencil, presumably by Tate. Trace top edge foxing; else fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033304] SOLD
45.
click for a larger image of item #33305, The Folding Cliffs NY, Knopf, 1998. Unmarked, but from the library of James Tate. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033305] SOLD
46.
click for a larger image of item #33306, New and Selected Poems, 1962-2012 Boston/NY, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. A complimentary copy, with a letter from a senior editor conveying the book to James Tate on Simic's behalf. With Tate's ownership signature. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Also laid in is a partial, numbered list of some of Tate's poems, apparently from his own book of selected poems, The Eternal Ones of the Dream. [#033306] SOLD
47.
click for a larger image of item #33307, Some Other Wine and Light Washington, Charioteer Press, 1989. Poetry by a Serbian writer, translated by Simic, and inscribed by Simic to James Tate in the year of publication, and with Tate's ownership signature. Foxing to foredge and top edge, light bump to crown; near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Printed in an edition of 1000 copies. Uncommon. [#033307] SOLD
48.
click for a larger image of item #33308, A Flag for Sunrise NY, Knopf, 1981. His third novel, a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award and winner of the L.A. Times Award for best novel of the year. Inscribed by Stone: "For Jim & Lisa, in every wind and weather/ with love/ Bob." From the library of James Tate. Three articles about Stone and one by him are laid in. Foxing to the edge of the text block, mottling to the cloth; very good in a near fine dust jacket. [#033308] SOLD
49.
click for a larger image of item #33309, Selected Poems NY, Farrar Straus, (1964). The second regularly published book by the West Indian writer who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992. Ownership signature of James Tate. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket, but with a chip threatening at the base of the spine. [#033309] SOLD
50.
click for a larger image of item #33310, The Gulf London, Jonathan Cape, (1969). First edition, preceding the American edition. Unmarked, but from the library of James Tate. Near fine in a near fine dust jacket with a couple of closed edge tears and one very small chip at the crown. [#033310] SOLD
51.
click for a larger image of item #33311, Omeros NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1990). An epic poem, by consensus one of his greatest books. With the ownership signature of James Tate. Foxing to the edge of the text block; near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033311] SOLD
52.
click for a larger image of item #33312, The Indian Lawyer NY, Norton, (1990). A novel by the Native American poet and novelist. Inscribed by Welch to James Tate: "For Jim/ a little read for those quiet evening hours. Here's to all the good times those many times and the good times to come. Waylon Jennings couldn't have said it better. Love, Jim." From the library of James Tate. Minor foxing to the edges of the text block; near fine in a near fine dust jacket. A nice literary association. [#033312] SOLD
53.
click for a larger image of item #33313, Typescript of Speech on Charles Wright ca. 1991. The two-page typescript of a speech by Tate introducing Charles Wright at an undetermined event, dated in ink, "June 3, 1991," and commenting on Wright's life, his writing, and the 26-year friendship between the two poets. Like Tate, Wright won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for poetry. Together with a review copy of Wright's book The World of the Ten Thousand Things [NY: FSG, 1990], with the publisher's promotional sheet laid in. With Tate's ownership signature and his pencil markings and one note in the text. Also together with two pages of Tate's holograph notes on the book, along with two typed pages of excerpts of Wright's poetry, presumably prepared by Tate, as one section is used by Tate in his speech. The typescript and the pages with Tate's work are folded in half to fit the book; the book is near fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#033313] SOLD
54.
click for a larger image of item #33314, Chickamauga NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1995). A collection of poems named for a major Civil War battle that took place in Georgia and the author's native Tennessee. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Warmly inscribed by Wright to James Tate in the year of publication. With Tate's ownership signature. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033314] SOLD
55.
click for a larger image of item #33315, Black Zodiac NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1997). Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Warmly inscribed by Wright to James Tate. From Tate's library. With a page of holograph notes by Tate pertaining to the text, and with multiple small pencil markings in text, presumably by Tate. Fine in a fine dust jacket, with a review of the book laid in. [#033315] SOLD
56.
click for a larger image of item #33316, Appalachia NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (1998). A poetry collection. From the library of James Tate. Inscribed by Wright to Jim [Tate] and Dara [Wier]. Also signed by Wright on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. 1999 newspaper clipping about Wright laid in. [#033316] SOLD
57.
click for a larger image of item #33317, Negative Blue NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (2000). Collects Chickamauga, Black Zodiac, Appalachia, and a number of new poems. Inscribed by Wright to Jim [Tate] and Dara [Wier], "with all love and affection." Also signed by Wright on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033317] SOLD
58.
click for a larger image of item #33318, Buffalo Yoga NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (2004). Inscribed by the author to James Tate: "For Jim, dearest friend, from CW, down in the shadow of the Blue Ridge." From Tate's library. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033318] SOLD
59.
click for a larger image of item #33319, Littlefoot NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (2007). Inscribed by Wright to Jim [Tate] and Dara [Wier]. Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033319] SOLD
60.
click for a larger image of item #33320, Caribou NY, Farrar Straus Giroux, (2014). Inscribed by Wright: "For Jim from Charles/ still undisputed Champion, KC Jammes[?]." Fine in a fine dust jacket. [#033320] SOLD
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