POEM FOR THE DEDICATION OF THE FOUNTAIN AT STRATFORD-ON-AVON

Holmes, Oliver Wendell. POEM FOR THE DEDICATION OF THE FOUNTAIN AT STRATFORD-ON-AVON.[Cambridge: The Riverside Press] 1887. First edition, printing A. Single sheet folded to 4pp., measuring 8 x 10 inches. There were two subsequent printings, one an 8 x 5 inch leaflet and the other an oblong broadside. Autographed in ink by Holmes at the conclusion: "Oliver Wendell Holmes/ Boston, Jan. 12th, 1888." Some offsetting from being mounted in a scrapbook, but no abrasions and the original red silk tie is wholly intact. A very rare Holmes first edition. George W. Childs presented the poem at the dedication and paid for the printing of the poem at the Riverside Press, specifying 20 copies for himself and whatever number of copies Holmes might want for his own use. The edition was likely no larger than 50 copies. BAL 9007. Howes HOLMES 353. Currier-Tilton, pp. 214-217.