BALLADS AND POEMS

First edition. Signed by the author. Inscribed presentation copy. Contemporary presentation binding of half dark blue morocco and light blue cloth, ruled in gilt, with four raised bands, an illustration, decoration and titles in gilt to the spine. Top and bottom outer edges of the spine are decorated in gilt. Top edge of the closed text block with a decorative pattern in blue ink, deckled fore- and bottom edge. Patterned endpapers. A very good copy, the binding is square and firm, with some rubbing to the edges of the faded spine. The contents, with some offsetting to the edges of the endpapers, and the author's inscription to the front blank. have some spotting throughout.

Inscribed in the hand of Alfred Noyes in black ink "For Ralph Scrope / With all good wishes on his / wedding-day / from / Mary and Alfred Noyes / June 6th [19]34". The recipients are Ralph Henry Scrope and Beatrice Anne (Savile) Scrope (Daughter of John Henry Savile, 6th Earl of Mexborough and Margaret Eva, Countess of Mexborough) who were married on 14th June 1934. Alfred Noyes (1880-1958) was an English poet, short-story writer, playwright and former Princeton University lecturer who counted F. Scott Fitzgerald among his students. This volume collects 117 of his poetical works written between 1902 and 1928.