Choruses from Iphigeneia in Aulis.
H.D.’s First Book
One of 12 Copies
—
With a Related Typescript by Aldington
[Doolittle, Hilda]. H.D. Choruses from Iphigeneia in Aulis. Translated by H.D. London: Printed at the Ballantyne Press, [The Egoist, 1916].
Royal 16mo.; vellum wrappers, stamped in gilt, lightly rubbed; ribbon-tied, though ribbon is largely absent: bits are loosely inserted.
Boxed together with:
[Aldington, Richard(?)]. Typescript promotional announcement.
8vo.; single typescript leaf, recto only.
First edition of H.D.’s translation, and her first appearance in book form; limited to 12 numbered copies on handmade paper signed by her: H.D. (this is copy #6), the entire edition; issued as No. 3 in the Poets’ Translation Series. Accompanied by a promotional typescript leaf, likely prepared by Richard Aldington, at the time the Editor of the Poets’ Translation series and H.D.’s husband. His confusing statements as he traces the history not just of this volume but of the series as a whole merit quoting in full:
Poets’ Translation Series.
Notice.
Ten copies of Pamphlet No. 3, “Choruses from Iphigeneia in Aulis” translated by H.D., have been printed on the finest hand-made paper, bound in Japanese Vellum tied with ribbons, the title on gold letters. Each of these copies is numbered and autographed by the translator. All extraneous advertising matter was removed from the pamphlet before printing. Nos. 1-7 have been sold; Nos. 8&9 are for sale at 7/6 net each; No. 10, the last available copy of this very limited edition will cost 10/6. The editors believe that this little edition de luxe is the most handsome in appearance and the most vigorous in rendering of any of the translation of these chourses since the beautiful little French version published by Sibilet in 1550.
Arrangements have been made to print a very limited edition on hand-made paper of each of the next pamphlets, 4, 5 & 6. In each edition the copies numbered 1-5 are reserved for subscribers who have ordered these first impressions of each of the editions de luxe. Copies of Pamphlet 4—A choice of the Latin Poets of the Italian Renaissance (many translated into English for the first time)—printed on the finest hand-made paper, bound &c as Pamphlet 3, can be obtained for 5/ net, by ordering before November 15th. Only three extra copies beyond those ordered will be published, and these will be sold at 7/6 each. Similarly, orders for editions de luxe of Pamphlets nos. 5 & 6, must be sent in before December 15th and January 15th, 1916, respectively.
The editors hope to make an announcement of a Second Series of these translations very shortly. A prospectus will be sent to anyone interested.
All correspondance [sic] to Richard Aldington, 7 Christchurch Place, Hampstead, N.W.
H.D. – born Hilda Doolittle, but known throughout her professional life as H.D. – was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1886. The daughter of an astronomy professor, she moved at the age of nine with her family to Philadelphia, where she was educated at Gordon School and at the Friends’ Central School. Myth has it that while in residence at Bryn Mawr, which she attended from 1904, she formed close friendships with school mate Marianne Moore, and with Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams, students at the nearby University of Pennsylvania. In 1906 ill health (some say a nervous breakdown) forced her to leave college.
Her first published works were, ironically for this dark poet, children’s stories. In 1911, however, on a visit to Europe, she came into further contact with Pound and his group of Imagist poets, and her time with them had a profound effect. Feeling in sympathy with their attempts to give poetry a clear, precise diction able to express both internal and external moods, H.D. began writing poetry herself and became something of Pound’s protégé. She also started to experiment with her sexuality while in Paris (she was widely assumed to be bisexua
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