Francis Brett Young — The Island

London, William Heinemann Ltd, 1944. First edition. Cloth. The author"s personally given first copy of this late-war poetry collection, signed and dated to the recipient on Armistice month, 1944. In the publisher's original cloth binding. First edition. The first copy distributed by the author, signed and inscribed to the front free endpaper: "To M. C. Cooper. Gratefully. (The first copy). From Francis Brett Young, 18; XI; 44." This is a scarce later collection of poetry, written during the final years of the Second World War. The contents include such poems as "Song of the Dead Men of Bredon," "Nightfall by Wansdyke," "Farewell to Arms," "A Ballad of John Ball," "Deus Flavit et Dissipati Sunt," "Ordeal by Fire," "Song of the British Grenadiers," and "The Winged Victory," among many others. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, generally smart. Slight rubbing and bumping to extremities, more so to tail of spine. resulting in slight loss to cloth. White marking to tail of spine. The odd handling mark to boards. and spine with one or two minor spots of damp staining. Author's inscription to front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean with one or two spots. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .