A Lear Song: The Broom, The Shovel, The Poker, and the Tongs

Durnford, Mary. A Lear Song: The Broom, The Shovel, The Poker, and the Tongs. San Francisco: The Four Winds Press, 1977. Limited Edition. 1/150. 8vo. 254pp. Gold lined half leather over green decorative paper boards, title in gold on spine. Includes b/w reproductions of the illustrations penned with the ‘song.’ As the editor state in the foreword, “The ‘Songs’ of Edward Lear- indeed, any literary manuscripts of his- have become very rare on the market, so it was most unusual luck that I managed to find one recently. It was published in his second ‘Nonsense’ book, entitled Nonsense Songs, Stories, Botany, and Alphabets, London, 1871. Lear was also the author of “The Owl” and “The Pussycat.” A pocket on the rear endpaper contains an erratum and facsimile copies of both the original manuscript and his letter to Mrs. Henry Austin Bruce which include b/w reproductions of the illustrations penned with the ‘song.’ Minor shelf wear. Overall very good condition. vg. Hardcover. (22219) $95