WAR IS KIND

Fredrick A. Stokes, 1899. CRANE, Stephen. WAR IS KIND. Illustrated by Will Bradley. NY: Fredrick A. Stokes, 1899. Small 8vo., pictorial gray boards with a Bradley illustration on the front cover; 96 pages. First Edition. [William and Starrett 20]. Crane's second collection of 37 verses, many published previously in periodicals from 1894 on. A rather unique association copy, given as a gift by American writers Elinor Wylie and her husband, William Rose Benet, to Henry Seidle Canby and his wife, Marion. Canby was a well-known critic, editor and a distingushed professor at Yale University- certainly acquainted with the two writers. Signed presentation on the front endpaper: "To Henry and also Marion- from Elinor and Bill. Christmas 1923. With all good wishes, A rare book by a rare American." Each author has signed for themselves with the presentation apparently in Benet's hand and the comment after the date in Wylie's hand. Also laid-in is a gold-foil Christmas card, designed by Wylie, with another signed presentation to the Canbys: "To Marion and Henry Canby from Elinor Wylie and William Rose Benet. Christmas, 1923" The handwriting here appears to be entirely in Wylie's hand. A notoriously fragile book. Many of the pages are uncut at the top (like most copies in the marketplace) which means the Canby's (or many other people for that matter) never read the book- as attractive as it is with the Bradley illustrations. I carefully opened some of the earlier pages in the text but left at least half still uncut [Don't want Canby to get away making everyone believe he actually read Crane's book]. Anyway, a nice association copy between important literary figures of their day. Very good condition (covers are quite nice with minor wear and bit of darkening to spine [as usual]; few very tiny cracks spine that are quite nicely repaired; contents clean and tight). $1,000.00.