Clare, John (Pohrt, Tom)

Careless Rambles

Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint Press, 2012. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover. Inscribed and Signed by Tom Pohrt. "Born in 1793, John Clare lived and worked during the Golden Age of British poetry, the time of Shelley, Byron, Keats, and Coleridge. In the grand tradition of English nature writing, he stands alongside Wordsworth as a poet of extraordinary humanity and great spirit. He was deeply resistant to the first years of England's Enclosure, and he offers a contemporaneous look at what the world was like for those struggling with the impact of the first Industrial Revolution. Uneducated but remarkably well read, Clare was briefly celebrated in London, only to spend his final 27 years in a lunatic asylum. He died in the asylum on May 20, 1864." (from front flap). Careless Rambles represents many of Clare's best entries into the poetry canon, chosen by illustrator, children's book author and Ann Arborite Tom Pohrt (b.1953). Entries include such standouts as the hopeful "A Spring Morning" (pg.10) the curious "The Mouse's Nest" (pg. 50) and everybody's favorite "The Holiday Walk" (pg. 61). This copy is significantly enhanced by Pohrt's hand-signature on the title page, below which he has inscribed in blue ink | for David, in friendship | and with great respect, | Tom | 2018 |. Hardcover in unclipped first-issue dust jacket (with $25 retail sticker at rear flap), First edition, first printing as indicated by number sequence at copyright page. From the collection of Thomas Pohrt, the acclaimed illustrator who along with his brothers Richard, a great scholar of Native American artifacts, & the late Karl (1947-2013), are/were among the most beloved & accomplished members of the Ann Arbor community. Karl Pohrt was an esteemed bookseller, publisher, journalist & academician who befriended the proprietor of & was an early colleague/mentor to Third Mind Books. We are highly honored to present this & more gems from Tom Pohrt's collection. A very important Clare/Pohrt collector's item, in exceptionally very fine condition among those available, greatly enhanced by Pohrt's signature/inscription & with outstanding provenance. Book in relatively very fine condition with only some faint rubbing to corners of front, back covers, and spine; Dust jacket is very fine with mild rubbing to top edge and bottom right-hand corner of front cover, retail sticker affixed to bottom left corner of back cover. Text block and interior as new, no noticeable defects. Very Fine. [Item #7585]

Price: $60.00