Cohen, Leonard | Presentation copy of his first book of poetry

Cohen, Leonard

Let Us Compare Mythologies. Montreal: Contact Press for the McGill Poetry Series, 1956

8vo (203 x 140 mm). Inscribed on the front free endpaper, 5 illustrated plates by Freda Guttman; leaves toned. Publisher’s black cloth, spine lettered in silver, fore-edge uncut; lacking the dustjacket but with the inside front panel present and loosely inserted, short closed tear to cloth at head of spine, trifle spotting to endpapers, lightly rubbed at extremities.

A first edition of Cohen’s first book of poetry, one of only 400 copies, affectionately inscribed. Containing poems composed between the ages of 15 and 20, Cohen had already received attention and awards for his poetry when Let Us Compare Mythologies was published. Recognized as a rising star in the Montreal poetry scene at the time, the volume was published by McGill University's poetry series, edited by Louis Dudek, which sought to introduce young Canadian writers of merit. Cohen designed the book himself, and his then-girlfriend Freda Guttman contributed the illustrations. He was awarded the McGill Literary Award for the collection, which brought him the wider attention of Canadian media—a first glimpse of the fame that was to come. Even in this early work, one can see the themes that he would return to throughout his life, in both literature and song—philosophy, sex, religion, and the quietly transcendent, ephemeral exchanges between people.

The present copy is affectionately inscribed in Cohen’s elegant hand, “For my friend Jo, | Leonard | January 1957.” Not only is the recipient described as a friend, but nearly all other inscribed copies that appear feature his name written in full. Its absence here, simply in favor of “Leonard,” suggests a close relationship between the two. Of other copies that we can trace, the only comparable inscription appeared in the copy presented to Marianne Ihlen. Though lacking the dustjacket, inscribed copies of this work are rare.

A desirable presentation copy from the late singer-songwriter.