CLASS POEM 1915
[New Haven]: [Yale University], 1915. First Edition. Hardcover. Printed wraps, 5-1/2" x 6-15/16"; 4 pages with the title on the first page and the poem on the following three pages. First edition of the author’s first separately published work. About 600 copies were printed and distributed to the Class Day audience at Yale University on 21 June 1915, and as one can imagine, many were soon discarded. Arthur Mizener in A CATALOGUE OF THE FIRST EDITIONS OF ARCHIBALD MacLEISH (Yale University Library, 1938) states that copies he had seen were all cut down in order to fit into the class program. The only dimension he gives is 16.5 cm (6-1/2"), but alas he does not state if that is width or height. In any case this item, MacLeish's First Book, slim as it is, is extremely rare. Some wrinkling and brief tears. Very Good and scarce. Item #020330
Archibald MacLeish was not only a well-known poet but also served as Librarian of Congress, appointed by Franklin Roosevelt, a position he used to reorganize and promote the institution. In addition to winning three Pulitzer Prizes, MacLeish was commissioned by the NEW YORK TIMES to write a poem to celebrate the Apollo 11 moon landing, which he entitled "Voyage to the Moon" and which appeared on the front page of the 21 July 1969 edition of the paper.
Price: $2,500.00