John Rodker | Hymns, London, 1920, first edition, inscribed by the author

John Rodker 

Hymns. London: The Ovid Press, 1920

FIRST EDITION, NUMBER 20 OF 20 SIGNED COPIES INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR (numbered 16-35, of a total edition of 190), 8vo, original boards, binding slightly soiled

The second book of The Ovid Press, with initials and colophon by Edward Wadsworth. Inscribed by the author (himself the founder of The Ovid Press) to an unidentified recipient: "To Carrie Hayland with the author’s love" and additionally signed by Rodker on the limitation page. One of the “Whitechapel Boys”, Rodker was a conscientious objector and was imprisoned in 1917. The anti-war poem "Hymn to Death 1914 and On" was reviewed by Richard Aldington as being "vain and morbid". A very good copy. Dust-jacket not called for.