Lot 41: CUMMINGS, E. E.

CIOPW. New York: Covici-Friede, 1936

In 4s (12 1/4 x 9 3/8 in.; 312 x 238 mm). Plates of reproductions of Cummings's paintings and drawings. Original tan burlap. Publisher's yellow cloth case.

(for the book): Firmage A10

(for the drawing): Gotham Book Mart & Gallery, E. E. Cummings: Paintings and Drawings (from the estate of Mrs. E. E. Cummings), an exhibition, September-December 1973, item no. 5

First edition, limited to 391 numbered copies signed by the author/artist in watercolor on the title-page (this no. 275, signed in green watercolor). Reproduces a selection of Cummings's art in the media of charcoal, ink, oils, pencil and watercolors ? hence the title; the only book of the poet's artwork published in his lifetime. An exceptionally fine copy, in the original case, of a book normally found worn (because of its size and fragile binding).

With:

Cummings. A brown ink drawing of three poses of a man on a park bench, the original for the illustration in CIOPW at p. 18 entitled "Central Park," on the verso of an unused check of the 1920s (of the Corn Exchange Bank, Sheridan Square Branch, New York), 2 3/4 x 6 3/4 in., 70 x 163 mm. On the front of the check is a brief sketch of two people on a bench, crossed through (probably by Cummings).