Robert Graves | Over the Brazier, London, 1916, first edition, signed by the author

Robert Graves

Over the Brazier. London: Poetry Bookshop, 1916

FIRST EDITION, SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR IN 1916 AND LATER INSCRIBED, 8vo, original wrappers, some spotting and marginal dampstaining, wear to wrappers

First edition of his first book. Signed by the author to the title-page: "Graves 1916" (the year of publication). Additionally inscribed: "Garech (de Brun), afectionamente, Robert Graves, Mallorca" on verso of the title-page. The recipient was a book collector and friend of Graves (who lived on Mallorca from 1946 until the age of 90 in 1985). This may be Graves's own copy, which he gifted late in his life, when de Brun visited him on Mallorca. Over the Brazier was published on May 1, 1916, when Graves was serving as a subaltern in the Royal Welch Fusiliers in France. There was a second impression in 1917, and a second edition in 1920. Graves's youth and obscurity presumably accounts for the scarcity of inscribed copies.