Poetry and Plays and Music Scores

The Pagan Trinity – Beatrice Irwin – First Edition 1912 – Presentation Copy to “Cheiro”

An unusual book of poetry dedicated to French artist sculptor Auguste Rodin. The opening poem inspired by Rodin…” The Hand of God”

Presentation copy inscribed boldly “To Count Louis Hamon with best regards from Beatrice Irwin Feb 15 /12” … the recipient was also known as Cheiro, a famous cheiromancer (palmist) and author of sought after works on that subject.

A first edition published by John Lane, The Bodley Head, London in 1912. Octavo, 144 pages half vellum binding with nice marbled paper covered boards, top edge gilt. A nice copy with the super dedication.

A volume of mystical verse reflecting the poet / actress’s interest in colour – music – poetry relationships, then very fashionable in Europe, America, and Russia through the works of Alexander Scriabin. Irwin Beatrice also know as Lady Rosslyn a spiritualist and followed of the Baha’i faith. Virginia Woolf described the style as neo-Paganism and of significance. Her theatrical career was extensive and included a season in Australia in 1907 when she played in Brewster’s Millions in Sydney and Melbourne. Her views on colour were sophisticated and well known … she influenced Australian artists in that regard including Roy de Maistre.

The book is arranged in under the following descriptions … Plastic poems; Colour poems; Tone Poems; The Music of Japan and Songs of the Elements. We like it.

Cheiro, or Count Hamon was born William John Warner in Ireland in 1866. He became an internationally renown clairvoyant, palmist, numerologist … anything occult. He read for so many of the famous including Mark Twain, Sarah Bernhardt, Eddison etc. To read about some of his predictions will surprise. It is no surprise however that he had a connection with the mystical Beatrice Irwin.

Mystical poetry by the colourful Beatrice Irwin – Cheiro’s copy nicely inscribed.

$160.00

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The Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley … including Materials Never Before Printed in any Edition of the Poems. Edited with textual notes by Thomas Hutchinson. 1912

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) a romantic Poet and considered by most authorities England’s greatest ever lyric poet. This is possibly the best book on Shelley’s extensive works … we think so.

Thick octavo, 912 pages published by Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press, London in 1912.

Delightful impressed frontispiece image of Shelley by Sir Emery Walker (1851-1933). Walker was a friend of William Morris and it was Walker’s collection of medieval type that inspired Morris to form the Kelmscott Press. Walker later formed his own distinguished Doves Press.

Impressively bound in full green calf, five raised bands to spine with full rich gilt ornament to compartments, red leather title label. Gilt design around front and back boards, gilt knurling to board edges Quality matching marbled end papers with design continuing to page edges. Gilt “Saltburn High School” emblem to front and prize label on front paste down. Carries the binder / retailer label of James Galt of Manchester. Ayrshire born Galt founded the Manchester educational supplier in 1836.

The book starts with an excellent Preface by Hutchinson outlining his approach, sources, thoroughness etc. Followed by the Preface by Mary Shelley to each of her own much earlier editions of the great man’s work, including the Posthumous Poems.

A special book of Shelley’s works … would make a super gift …

$160.00

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Testimony – The Memoirs of Shostakovich. – Solomom Volkov – First UK Edition 1979

A first UK edition of the memoirs … as related to and edited by Solomon Volkov.

Much controversy surrounds this book perhaps because of its fairly frank position of the great man’s views on … other composers, Stalin, the system etc. However, Solomon Volkov was very close to Shostakovich in his final years … and unsurprisingly Shostakovich instructed for it not be published until after his death and Volkov, who presumably had the control, never published the book in Russia.

Published by Hamish Hamilton, London 1979. Octavo, 238 pages with index and numerous illustration from period photographs. Very nice.

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was nine before being taught the piano by his mother … his natural talent was immediately identified … he could repeat the pieces the next day without reference to the music score. His first symphony at 19 was success. Not all of his efforts were successful afterwards … his music too experimental at times for the Communist rule … particularly Stalin … who later had a habit of disposing of his friends and relatives. Later his music softened and he was gradually brought into the embrace of the hierarchy.

The photographic images are special … with Prokofiev and Khachaturian … imagine the conversations.

Shostakovich thorough and believable

$40.00

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Poems to Pavlova – Tulloch Cull – First Edition 1913

A first edition of this poetic homage to the great ballerina Anna Pavlova.

Published by Herbert Jenkins, London in 1913. Square octavo, 62 pages after preliminaries with 8 plates from period photographs. Original decorative green cloth covered boards, all in very good condition.

Russian born Anna Pavlova (1881-1931) hardly requires introduction. Principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and the Ballets Russes … forever to be remembered as the dying swan.

Her name was pronounced Pa … vlova unfortunately the pudding designed in her honour Pav … lova has corrupted our understanding. Invented (the pudding) during her tour of Australia in the 1920’s … disputed by Kiwis across the Ditch who believe it was first made in Wellington.

Anna Pavlova … much more than a meringue with fruit!

$60.00

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Beethoven Ninth Symphony Pianoforte Score arranged by Carl Reinecke (Choral Portion) English Translation by Rev W.T. Southward – Sir Adrian Boult’s Copy dated 1910 whilst at Oxford.

Published by Breitkopf & Hartel, Leipzig circa 1900. Large octavo, 78 pages. Original cloth backed wrappers, slightly aged but still very good.

Symphony No.9 in D minor Op 125 the final complete Beethoven symphony compose between 1822 and 1824. Many regard this his greatest work. The first major symphony to use voice in here the fourth movement with four soloists and a choir. The words from a poem “Ode to Joy” a poem by Friedrich Schiller with Beethoven additions.

Published Breitkopf & Hartel being the worlds oldest music publishing house established in 1717. Their rendition of the Ninth arranged by Reinecke was to become a favourite of quality orchestra’s around the world.

Sir Adrian Boult’s copy inscribed on the upper wrapper … “Adrian C Boult 15 Oct 1910”

Adrian Boult (1889-1983) schooled at Westminster and then went up to Christ Church, Oxford reading History in 1908, but later changed to Music graduating in 1912. So, the ownership of this item clearly resides with his university days. In fact, in 1910 he was the President of the University Music Club. He met Ralph Vaughan Williams at Oxford and was already acquainted with Elgar. He then went on to study at Leipzig and it was there that he developed into the man he was. Surely one Britain’s greatest orchestral conductors … he was the first to tackle Holst’s Planets and was to form the BBS Symphony Orchestra and conduct the LSO and the LPO

Beethoven Ninth Choral – Sir Adrian Boult’s Copy

$120.00

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The Fortunes of Fifi – Molly Elliot Seawell – First Edition 1903

A first edition published by Bobbs-Merrill, Indianapolis in 1903. Interestingly, carries the booksellers sticker of Dymock’s Book Arcae, 428 George Street. Dymocks, Australia’s favourite book store was started in 1879 but soon moved to the aforementioned address as the business took off.

Fifi is a young actress in fourth rate theatre in Paris. Napoleon is involved in a minor way. She has confidantes and admirers and much love and lost love ensues. She turns out to be related to a certain person in very high place … things get rich and in a tangle which really she is not that thrilled with – eventually, she ends up with the one she should. Complex and intriguing romance. The outline is easily told … it became an early silent movie circa WW! And was very successful.

Octavo, 239 pages, with decorative end papers that match the delightful pictorial covers. A very good copy.

Classic Romance based in Paris, became one of the very first movies.

$50.00

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The Pagan Trinity – Beatrice Irwin – First Edition 1912 – Presentation Copy to “Cheiro”

The Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley … including Materials Never Before Printed in any Edition of the Poems. Edited with textual notes by Thomas Hutchinson. 1912

Testimony – The Memoirs of Shostakovich. – Solomom Volkov – First UK Edition 1979

Poems to Pavlova – Tulloch Cull – First Edition 1913

Beethoven Ninth Symphony Pianoforte Score arranged by Carl Reinecke (Choral Portion) English Translation by Rev W.T. Southward – Sir Adrian Boult’s Copy dated 1910 whilst at Oxford.

The Fortunes of Fifi – Molly Elliot Seawell – First Edition 1903

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