317

T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) & E. McKnight Kauffer (1890-1954), illus.

Journey of the Magi, Advance Copy Inscribed to his Patron.

[London: Faber & Gwyer Ltd., 1927.]
Advance copy of the first edition, octavo; number 8 of the Ariel Poems; inscribed by Eliot to Lady Lilian Rothermere, "L.R. Hommages de T.S.E" in black ink and dated August 17th, 1927 (ten days before the official first edition publication date listed by Gallup) on the second page of the poem; with one color illustration by Kauffer before the text; bound in original yellow pictorial wrappers, sewn and folded over blanks (minor soiling to rear panel of wrapper); 7 ¼ x 4 ¾ in. 

Viscountess Mary Lilian Rothermere was instrumental in Eliot's career for funding his literary magazine, The Criterion, beginning in 1922. Thanks in large part to her support, Eliot was able to publish his masterpiece poem, The Waste Land in the magazine in 1927. She continued to endow the magazine until late 1928, when she transferred complete ownership to publishers Faber and Gwyer.

Gallup A9a.

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