YEATS, WILLIAM BUTLER | Responsibilities, Two First Editions

The Property of a Gentleman

YEATS, WILLIAM BUTLER

Responsibilities, Two First Editions

Responsibilities: Poems and a Play. Churchtown, Dundrum: The Cuala Press, 1914. 8vo (5 5/8 x 8 1/4 in.; 145 x 210 mm). Woodcut vignette to title-page, colophon printed in red; minor toning. Gray paper covered boards, title to upper cover printed in black, cream linen spine, gray endpapers; some toning. In custom blue and tan linen covered clamshell case. First edition, number 312 of 400 copies. Wade 110 — Responsibilities and Other Poems. London: Macmillan And Co. Limited 1916. 8vo (4 7/8 x 7 1/2 in.; 125 x 193 mm). Half-title; minor toning. Original blue cloth covered boards, upper board and spine stamped in gilt with design by T. Sturge Moore, edges uncut, original cream dustjacket printed in blue; some minor toning and chipping to jacket. In custom blue and cream linen covered clamshsell case. First edition, one of 1,000 copies. Wade 115

Group lots not subject to return.

"Romantic Ireland's dead and gone." - Yeats, "September 1913"

The poems present in Responsibilities signify a turning point for Yeats, marking the poet's shift away from the dreamworld of the Celtic Twilight, and movement toward addressing the harsh realities of the modern day. The collection was reprinted by Macmillan in 1916 without the play, but with the addition of several poems. This later edition is offered here with its dust jacket, which is rarely found.