P. J. Pendergast — Selected Gems

Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Angel Guardian Press, 1917. First edition. Cloth. A first edition, inscribed by the author, of this exceptionally scarce 1917 collection of Irish-American devotional and patriotic verse, with only two copies held institutionally. In the publisher's original cloth binding.First edition.Inscribed by the author to the front free endpaper: "Patrick J. Pendergast to Father Hasenfus, May 5 / 1917."An exceptionally scarce copy, with just two copies held institutionally at the Hathi Trust Digital Library and the University of East Anglia Library. A collection of devotional, patriotic, and sentimental verse centred on Catholic life in New England, Irish-American identity and wartime pride. P. J. (Patrick Joseph) Pendergast was an Irish-American poet active in Boston in the 1910s, publishing regularly in Catholic and local newspapers. His verse was widely circulated for memorial services and parish events but never widely printed. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, smart. Residue from small circular sticker to front board. Slight fading to spine and extremities. Minor loss o cloth at rear joint and rear board. Hinges cracked, more so to front hinge, with binding materials slightly exposed but holding. Author's inscription to front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean, if typically age toned. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .