Gaius Valerius Catullus: The Complete Poetry (inscribed for e. e. cummings)

Description

Catullus; Copley, Frank O. (translator). Gaius Valerius Catullus: The Complete Poetry (inscribed for e. e. cummings). Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press, 1957. First Edition. Patterned Paper Covered Boards. Very Good. xv, 141pp. In his inscription for Cummings, Copley quotes from Catullus’ own dedicatory opening poem “quidquid hoc libelli qualecumque” take this little book, such as it is”. On the dust jacket flap, Copley refers to Catullus as “the Cummings of his day” & in his introduction suggests that the initial general reception to Catullus’ poetry as just “nugae” “stuff” (again from Catullus One) paralleled that to Cummings’ first book, Tulips and Chimneys. There are a number of minor textual corrections in Copley’s hand. Also, interestingly, underlined in red pencil are the first seven lines of the introduction identifying the lyric poem which finish: “…it is itself, a whole, an entity, a complete unit of thought.” Cummings is known to have signed books in red pencil. Top edge of text-block dyed brown. Small bump on tail edge of front board. Dust jacket slightly rubbed & soiled with some spotting at edges & a very small closed tear at tail edge of rear panel. Copley’s translation pays homage to Cummings’ style just as, having studied classics at Harvard, the latter’s own work shows the influence both thematic & syntactic of the Latin poet. An exceptional association copy.