A wonderful association copy

Heaney, Seamus ~ A Lough Neagh Sequence : Inscribed By The Nobel Laureate Author To Rosemary Goad, The First Female Director At Faber & Faber

Phoenix Pamphlet Poets Press, UK : 1969

The sole UK printing published by Phoenix Pamphlet Poets Press, UK in 1969. Wraps format as issued. The BOOK is in near Fine condition with some very light spotting to the cover edges but far less than usually encountered. A 16 page booklet in the publisher's original printed glossy card covers. Only 1000 copies were printed (of which 50 were special casebound copies). The book has been inscribed by Seamus Heaney on the title page : 'To Rosemary, love Seamus'. The recipient was Rosemary Goad, who joined Faber and Faber in 1953 as a secretary, assisting the editor Charles Monteith (and initially sharing a room in the office with Valerie Fletcher, who would soon become Valerie Eliot). Goad became the first female Faber director in 1970, retiring in 1988. Seamus Heaney would become a friend, inscribing copies of each of his books to Goad and even writing a poem for her when she retired. This, Seamus Heaney's third book of poetry contains 7 early poems. The booklet was produced after 'Death of a Naturalist' and before 'Door into Dark' was issued. The book is protected in a loose Mylar archival cover and housed in a custom solander box with marbled inserts and a silk tie. Very scarce to find this title signed by the Nobel Laureate author in collectible condition. A rare title with such attributes, with only a handful of signed copies having appeared at auction in the last 30 years. A wonderful association copy. Collectible.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine