W. B. Yeats — On the Boiler

Dublin, The Cuala Press, 1938 . First edition. Paperback. A bright example of the first trade edition - the second edition produced - of Yeats's final published prose work, in which he discusses what he sees as the degeneration of Ireland. While by convention referred to as the first edition, this is actually the second edition of this work.Only four copies of the exceptionally scarce limited first edition are thought to have survived; the rest were destroyed under instruction from the poet and his wife, as they proposed this trade edition should be produced instead.This is Yeats's final completed prose work, in which he presents his belief that Ireland needed by a new movement based on eugenics and education. It was written at the time when he was involved in the Eugenic Society and their notions of degeneration.The work is structured with seven short essays, three of which incorporate poetry, and a play.With the bookplate of Milton McCGrath to the verso of the front free endpaper. In the publisher's original paper wraps. Wraps lightly age toned to perimeters and back strip. Small closed tears and losses to fore edge and perimeters of wraps. Bookplate to verso of front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .