AN ARTIST

[Austin, TX]: Privately printed by John S. Mayfield, 1928. First edition. One of a stated 96 copies of this fragile, privately printed production. The first appearance of Jeffers' poem, "An Artist," preceding its appearance in a revised version in CAWDOR the same year. Also includes "Robinson Jeffers: The Man" by Benjamin DeCasseres; brief letter from Havelock Ellis; brief note by Jeffers; facsimile portion of the original manuscript; and bibliography compiled by R. H. Griffith. Small 4to (approximately 7.5 x 10.75”) stapled paperwraps printed on "Buckeye" watermark paper; heavier Buckeye paper covers with label tipped to front; and tipped-in frontispiece (truncated) on coated paper (reproduction of an inscribed copy of a photo of Jeffers by Johan Hagemeyer), as called for [Broomfield A8]. Alberts reported 200 copies printed but colophon states, "...strictly limited to an edition of ninety-six copies." Mayfield himself confirmed there were only 96 copies in total to George M. "Marty" Barringer, a family friend and collector (then of Georgetown University Lauinger Library Special Collections). But Blanck/Johnson’s AMERICAN FIRST EDITIONS (4th edition, p.291) states “the publisher informs that [the colophon] is in error, that it should have read 196” and that the “bulk of the edition is said to be either wholly destroyed or damaged by fire” – perhaps explaining the seeming dearth of copies extant, regardless of the actual number first printed. Slight tanning to covers, small chip to upper edge front cover, small tear backed with archival tape to rear cover, and neatly repaired tear to cover label; still quite attractive and otherwise nearly fine. Scarce to rare on the market. (Inventory #: 55971)