Francis Brett Young — Five Degrees South

London , Martin Secker , 1917. First edition. Paperback. A scarce first edition of Francis Brett Young"s early poetry collection, signed and inscribed by the author. In the publisher's original paper wraps. First edition. Signed and inscribed by the author to the front endpaper: "Rhabi"s Golden, from Francis Brett Young, Dahla 23.1.18."A scarce collection of 17 poems written during Young"s years of medical service in East Africa. The poems include "Song of the Dark Ages," "Five Degrees South," "Bête Humaine," "104° Fahrenheit," "The Lemon-Tree," and "Ghostly Loves" among others.Francis Brett Young (1884-1954) was a novelist, poet, and physician; his African wartime service with the Royal Army Medical Corps deeply shaped his early writing, forming the basis of this volume and later informing novels such as The Crescent Moon (1918) and They Seek a Country (1937). In the publisher's original paper wraps. Externally, generally smart. Slight loss to spine. Front wrap fragile, slightly loosened but holding. Rubbing and bumping to extremities resulting in the odd small chip, closed tear, and crease to extremities. Chipping and slight loss to spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean if typically age toned with the odd spot, heavier to first and last few leaves. Publisher's advertisements particularly age toned. Good . Ill.: None. Good .