Details
The World I Breathe
Dylan Thomas, 1939
THOMAS, Dylan (1914-1953). The World I Breathe. Norfolk: New Directions, [November 1939].

A superb association: John Malcolm Brinnin's copy of the first, limited edition, signed by the author on the front free endpaper: "always, Dylan." The World I Breathe was Thomas's first book to appear in the United States, and it was exclusively published in the U.S. in an edition of 700 copies. Containing 40 poems and a selection of short stories, it is described by Thomas's bibliographer as "the most scarce of Thomas's books."

The poet and critic John Malcolm Brinnin (1916-1998) was a student at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor when this volume appeared, working for the local bookstore. He later moved to New York and organized poetry readings for the 92nd Street Y. He was the first to bring Dylan Thomas to the U.S. and wrote a book about their friendship, Dylan Thomas in America (1955). Of this book, Reese wrote, "If you want a pretty good primer on how to do it (destroy yourself drinking that is), Brinnin supplies it here." Cf. Narratives of Personal Experience 13.

Octavo. Title printed in red and black. Tan paper. Original red cloth (spine dulled, scratch to lower cover, endleaves discolored). Provenance: John Malcolm Brinnin, 1916-1998, poet and critic (ownership signature).

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