Jimenez, Juan Ramon

Naked Woman (La Mujer Desnuda)

ISBN: 1890654205
Seattle, WA: Wood Works, 2000. Limited First Softcover Edition. Sewn Wrappers in Over-Wrap. "Juan Ramon Jimenez's Naked Woman is a classic celebration of love, conveyed upon breaking waves of passion and despair, with evocative, shadowy asides that draw us close to the excited, humbled poet, till we share his perceptions, his agony and joy." (from back cover) A stately, passionate four-part masterpiece of poetry by Juan Ramon Jimenez (1881-1958), the great Nobel Prize-winning Spanish poet. With original Spanish & English translation on opposite pages. As the translator, Dennis Maloney, writes in his brief introduction: "The manuscript of La Mujer Desnuda was found among the poet's papers...written between 1918 and 1923. In 1916 (Jimenez) had married Zanobia Camprubi, his life-long partner. A fragile man in and out of sanatoriums much of his life, he found stability & strength in her; it is difficult to tell if this poem portrays her or a relationship with an idealized woman. Although some pieces have been included in other collections, this book marks the first publication of La Mujer Desnuda as an artistic whole in both Spanish & English." Small chapbook in sewn binding with attached over-wrap, a beautiful production designated No. 32 in publisher's series. With wonderful woodcut illustrations on front cover of over-wrap, frontispiece & opposite colophon (strangely uncredited). Below colophon, there is the hand-written limitation of 10/375. No other reference to this limitation is in colophon itself or copyright page. In the latter, there is reference to this edition, a hardcover edition & a signed edition. We believe, but cannot be sure, that this & the other two editions are apportioned among the total of 375. A most desirable Jimenez rarity, in very fine condition with only very mild wear & a few tiny bumps at edges & corners of (attached) over-wrap; otherwise substantially mint inside & out. Very Fine. [Item #3595]

Price: $40.00