E. L. Roberts — Frightful Crhymes

London, Erskine MacDonald, 1918 . First edition. Hardback. The vanishingly scarce first edition of this posthumously published volume of poetry from 2nd Lieut. in WWI E. L. Roberts, with four handwritten original poems and a signed letter from the author. The vanishingly scarce first edition of this work from E. L. Roberts, a 2nd Lieut. York and Lancaster, who died in 1917, the year prior to the publication of this volume of war poems.Titles of poems include 'The Pains of Patriotism', 'A Slave to Duty' and 'Army Abbreviations&apos.Loosely inserted are three Christmas cards from the author, dated between 1910 and 1914, each featuring handwritten original poems from the author, such as 'Chloe stole my heart away', 'Ballade of Bachelors' Compensation', 'Woman and Things' and 'Delia - the Ideal&apos.Also present is an undated handwritten leaf with another original poem, and an undated two page signed letter addressed to 'Thelma' from the author, in which he apologises for a delay in responding, but blames this on two factors: 'the war. Good old war. It is the excuse for a lot of things just now', and on getting married. This letter appears to have been written towards the beginning of the war, as he claims 'England is taking things in her usual phlegmatic fashion&apos. In the publisher's original paper covered boards. Back strip significantly age toned, with shelf wear to back strip tail, and with ink marks to front board. Internally, firmly bound. First few leaves significantly age toned due to paper type, with later leaves brighter, but with significant spotting. Three Christmas cards and two signed letters loosely inserted. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .