Jones, David

The Tribune's Visitation

London, England, UK: Fulcrum Press, 1969. First Trade Softcover Edition. Softcover. "Sir! | No sir, yes sir, Middle Watch Relief, sir. | Just come off, sir. | Yes sir. | Well, no sir, half an hour back, sir. | No sir, some from last levy | some, redrafted. | No sir, from all parts, sir. | In particular? | I see, and you, sergeant? | The Urbs, sir, come next October Games." (opening stanza). The Tribune's Visitation is one of British painter & modernist poet David Jones' (1895-1974) least known important poems. Like In Parenthesis (1937), The Tribune's Visitation presents narrative development as well as a military setting suggesting parallels between ancient and modern times. It is much like Jones's greatest poem "The Anathemata" (1952) in its intricate modernist structure and resonating words and phrases. Although far shorter and less ambitious than either of Jones's two major works, The Tribune's Visitation provides a concentrated and direct presentation of one of his central themes: the complex and difficult relationship between empires (ancient and modern) and the individual. While not as well known as other modernist writers of his time, such as T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) and James Joyce (1882-1941), Jones is increasingly regarded as an important, innovative poet, who has extended and refined the techniques of literary modernism. Despite his acclaim in poetic circles, Jones continues to be unknown to the public at large. This is partly due to the demands the poet’s work makes on readers, but also partly the result of his own preference. From the collection of Richard Cupidi (b. 1945), our esteemed mate in the UK who managed the fabled Unicorn Bookshop in Brighton, England for founder Bill Butler (1934-1977, the famed American-expatriate bookseller & publisher). From the late 1960s through the early 1970s, Unicorn proffered & published many outstanding productions by William S. Burroughs, J.G. Ballard et al., some of which have become the scarcest, all-but-unobtainable Beat-&-Beyond collectibles (see for example our Item No.s 8217 & 8366). After prevailing against censorious harassment efforts, Unicorn closed & Butler died in short order. Cupidi went on to found the Public House Bookshop in Brighton, which had a long & successful run but is also now closed, & he still resides there. We have been honored to obtain what Cupidi has termed "The Last Hurrah," all the remaining treasures of Unicorn & Public House, some of which have become the stuff of myth. Softcover: First Trade-Format Softcover Edition & first printing though neither explicated as such at copyright page. A most intriguing collectible book of poetry in its penultimately rarest contemporary trade form, with relevant association & very distinguished provenance. In relatively fine condition with mild rubbing, scratching, bumping of corners & age-toning to front, back covers & spine; mild-to-moderate spot-staining mostly to fine-edges of same; mild-to-moderate age-toning to text block. Interior fine with mild age-toning & bumping of corners to page leaves. Fine. [Item #8674]

Price: $60.00