JAMES MERRILL | LATE SETTINGS. NEW YORK: ATHENEUM, 1985

JAMES MERRILL

LATE SETTINGS. NEW YORK: ATHENEUM, 1985

51 unbound folio sheets (11 1/4 x 17 1/4 in.; 286 x 438 mm), mechanically reproduced, printed on rectos only. Beige clamshell case, red morocco gilt lettering-pieces on spine.

PROVENANCE

Peter Hooten (presentation inscription)

CATALOGUE NOTE

Printer's proofs of the first edition, with extensive corrections and directions to the printer in pencil by James Merrill. Inscribed by Merrill to companion Peter Hooten on the title-page, "In case you needed proof, here's this to say I love you. (kiss, kiss, kiss) — JM. 3.iii.85."

Virtually every page of this proof has corrections and instructions by Merrill in pencil, some correcting typographical errors, others editing a word or two, and with extensive directions to the printers about spacing and placement of words, stanzas, and lines. In the margins of a few pages are multi-line "setting" notes from Merrill to the printer. Each page bears the printer's statement "settings by James Merrill."