VILLANELLE FOR AN ANNIVERSARY. Composed by Seamus Heaney, Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory. for Harvard's 350th Anniversary Celebration and delivered by him at the Second Convocation, held on Friday, September fifth, nineteen hundred and eighty six.

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Single poem of 19 lines, printed in black on cream embossed card. Measuring 23 x 16 cm. A very good copy, the card a little toned to the edges, otherwise fine.

Inscribed by the poet in blue ink underneath the printed title "for Frank, in Dublin" and at the conclusion "Seamus, 25.9.86". The recipient is the editor, Frank Pike, who over four decades, from the 1960s onwards, was responsible for the Faber drama list, recruiting Tom Stoppard, Simon Gray, Brian Friel, Sam Shepard, and Alan Bennett, among others, as well as working closely with authors already publishing with the firm, notably Samuel Beckett. There was also a second edition of this poem printed, distinguishable by the Harvard insignia printed in red, rather than embossed. (Brandes & Durkan AA15a).