The four originals - all first printings, three stapled and one in the very rare thread-sewn version - were first published separately in this form between 1940 and 1942, and only became "The Four Quartets" when they were later published in a collection of Eliot's works.
The four originals, described below, are preserved in a custom-made solander box. Not in the box but included in the lot is a 1930 second impression copy of the author's "Dante" - "The Poets on the Poets No 2" - also published by Faber and Faber.
(1) "East Coker". 16 pp yellow paper wrappers printed in black and stapled.
(2) "Burnt Norton". 16 pp aquamarine ditto.
(3) "The Dry Salvages". 16 pp pale blue ditto.
(4) "Little Gidding". 16 pp mauve paper wrappers printed in black and thread sewn.
(1), (2) and (3) carry the owner signature of a South African bomber pilot serving with the Royal Air Force who was killed in action before (4) was published in 1942.
More images and information on request.
- Binding Condition: Good to Very Good
- Overall Condition: Good to Very Good
- Size: Octavo
- Sold By: Fontein Books
- Contact Person: Richard Proctor-Sims
- Country: South Africa
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 051 773 0050/048 079 546 4032
- Preferred Payment Methods: Eft (South Africa), SWIFT (rest of world), or $ checks for US or Australian buyers
- Trade Associations: AA Approved
