INDIA LOVE POEMS
Selected and with an Essay on Woman in India by Tambimuttu
Wood Engravings by Jeff Hill
The Peter Pauper Press — Mount Vernon, New York — 1954
FIRST EDITION — ORIGINAL SLIPCASE — VINTAGE PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION
Offered here is a particularly interesting copy of the 1954 First Edition of India Love Poems, selected by celebrated poet, editor and publisher Tambimuttu, with his essay Woman in India and striking wood engravings by Jeff Hill.
Published by The Peter Pauper Press of Mount Vernon, New York, this is a beautifully produced mid-century fine-press volume featuring distinctive red, black and cream patterned boards, specially made Peter Pauper Press paper, and numerous bold full-page red-and-white illustrations by Jeff Hill.
This copy retains its original brown slipcase.
Of particular collector interest, the front endpaper contains a handwritten presentation inscription:
“For Suzanne, From Tambi N.Y. 26 May ’55”
The inscription is dated May 26, 1955, approximately one year after publication.
“Tambi” was a name used by Tambimuttu, and documented presentation copies associated with Tambimuttu are known with inscriptions using the name “Tambi.”
The wording and format of this inscription are also consistent with documented Tambimuttu presentation inscriptions using constructions such as “For [recipient] … from Tambi” followed by a date.
Because no professional handwriting authentication has been performed on this particular copy, the inscription is being offered as found and is NOT guaranteed or represented as an authenticated Tambimuttu autograph.
Buyers are encouraged to examine the detailed photograph of the inscription and make their own assessment.
Title: India Love Poems
Selected by: Tambimuttu
Additional Essay: Woman in India
Illustrator: Jeff Hill
Illustrations: Wood engravings
Publisher: The Peter Pauper Press
Place: Mount Vernon, New York
Copyright: 1954
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Decorative hardcover
Pages: 121
Slipcase: Original slipcase included
The copyright page states:
“Copyright 1954 by The Peter Pauper Press.”
The publisher’s colophon further notes that the volume was set in Weiss types and printed on specially made P.P.P. paper at the Peter Pauper Press office in Mount Vernon, New York.
The book is beautifully illustrated with wood engravings by Jeff Hill, including numerous full-page stylized figure studies printed in deep red and white.
Jeff Hill’s illustrations are an important component of this edition. A study of Hill’s work for Peter Pauper Press specifically dates India Love Poems to 1954 and notes the numerous figure illustrations he created for the volume.