Peters, Robert

Love Poems for Robert Mitchum

Huntington Beach, CA: Poet-Skin Press, 1981. Limited First Edition. Tape-Bound Sheets. Inscribed, signed & dated on publication date by Robert Peters to Howard Moss. A collection of poems by Robert Peters (1924-2014), the innovative & prolific American poet, playwright, critic & scholar. Good-humored, & with many explicit, visceral details exemplary of Peters' earthy style, these poems comprise his homoerotic homage to the iconic Film Noir movie star Robert Mitchum. As noted in colophon dated January 1, 1981 at inner back cover, this is one of a "...private edition of 50 copies (of which) only 10 copies are for sale." This is hand-numbered copy No. 26/50. On the first, dedication page (to Larry Elkins, did Peters have an unrequited crush on him, too?), Peters has hand-inscribed & signed: "For Howard Moss,/ with affection & fond wishes/ for the new year-/ (signed) Bob Peters/ 1 Jan(uary) 81/ doodle-flourish." We believe that the recipient of Peters' inscription & therefore of this copy was Howard Moss (1922-1987), the esteemed poet, critic & long-time poetry editor of The New Yorker magazine. Moss was among a group of Peters' friends who, we again believe, were presented with this private production as a new year's gift. Large sheets with thick front & back covers bound in spine of red tape. Certainly among the rarest & most interesting items in the Peters oeuvre, especially with this warm inscription, dated the very day of publication, & with such distinguished association & provenance. In near-fine condition with mild rubbing & browning to front, back covers; several very small spot-stains in blank area near lower edge, light wear & a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of front cover; left portion at upper edge of back cover with series of minor paper loss (as if chewed on by a cat?); a few tiny spots at edges & surface of same. Interior fine with only small bump-curves & staining to upper corners of page leaves; upper edge of last page leaf mildly echo-effected by slight damage to front cover edge noted above. Near Fine. [Item #3281]

Price: $50.00 save 20% $40.00