Twenty three Poems

Component identifier:

Item 27-29

Content Summary:

Published by Australian Limited Editions Society. Sydney, 1938

Quarter-leather. Canvas sides. Decorations on cover and in the text. Limited to 500 numbered copies, signed by Douglas Annand,who supplied the decorations, and Alan Baker, who designed the book. J.J. Quinn selected the poems, and also wrote the foreword. Three copies.

No.159. Inserted is autograph letter from Brennan to A.G. Stephens, 2pp, 4to. Dated by the latter 12.7.01.

Brennan commences by informing A.G.S. "under the seal of confession", that there are three billets to be filled at the library. A competitive examination has been held, at which three papers were set; on the subjects of cataloguing, bibliographical matters, and library economy. "Results unknown. I fear and tremble as I tell you this."

Brennan continues that he has long been considering a descent upon the coffers of the Bulletin and sends along some verse. "I can't call "it anything else than The Circle of the Year, but that is misleading. I suppose it's plain to the naked eye that it's symbolic, so, in that case, please remember that it's meaning is not what you think (that's just the essential of all symbolic poetry!). This piece has broken out into that rash of corrections which afflicts all verses just being sent to press...So, in the improbable event of it's suiting you (for no amount of re-handling can get rid of the factitiousnesses [!] which disgust me in it) I would beg to have the proof by me for a week...But these things are on the knees of - A.G.S. I have other things to send you later which are better - as bits of verse...Thine, C.B."

In a postscript Brennan writes: "There is an enormous amount of sack in this letter to a ha'porth of the bread you ask'd for."

A.G.S. has made some annotations on this letter, wondering whether or not the billets have been filled, also if Brennan may have some poetry for sale.

Names:

Christopher Brennan

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