HILLYER, ROBERT

The Collected Verse of Robert Hillyer [with 3 Autograph Letters Signed]

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1934. Fourth Printing. 12mo. 5.375 x 7.75 in. [xiv], 190 pp. + index of first lines. Original silver-flecked fuschia cloth, skiver label titled in gilt to spine, dark blue top-stain; in lavender foil dust jacket. Very near fine in very good, price-clipped jacket. A touch of fading to bottom edge of boards. Jacket moderately chipped, with a touch of fading to spine panel.

Laid in are three consecutive, affectionate letters penned by poet & English professor ROBERT HILLYER, while at the Univ. of Delaware, to poet & Asheville citizen HERBERT DELAHAYE MILES, who was first published at the age of 81. In January HILLYER writes, 'I read a little from "Look Up, O World" to some students the other day apropos the new revival of faith and form that seems to give hopes of a brighter future, the students were charmed -- and I let them go on thinking that you are one of the younger poets.' In February HILLYER praises one of Miles' poems & suggests a metrical revision to one line, and later concludes, 'I am very fond of John Wheelock, but I doubt that he could be considered a cheerful poet. You are, and God bless you for it.' In March HILLYER continues to encourage MILES to enter his poem 'Ecstasies of Age' in various poetry contests ('a fine poem in your best idiom with a philosophy agreeing with Browning's') and concludes, 'My job now is largely lecturing. No time for poetry any more.' Winner of the 1934 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

Price: $500.00