David Irving Janes — La Belle France

New York, Duffield and Company, 1919 . First edition. Cloth. A vanishingly scarce first edition of Janes"s WWI poetic cycle, a presentation copy inscribed by the author, reflecting on the war"s devastation through three solemn, interconnected cantos. In the publisher's original quarter cloth binding with paper covered boards. First edition. An exceptionally scarce copy of this work, with just two copies held institutionally at the Hathi Trust Digital Library and the University of East Anglia Library. Signed and warmly inscribed by the author to the front free endpaper: "with the compliments of the author David Irving Janes, Christmas 1920."A solemn post–World War One poetry cycle reflecting on the devastation of the conflict and the search for renewal in its aftermath. Divided into three cantos, each containing a series of linked poems, with titles including "Song of the Reapers," "The Carnival of War," "Prayer to the Virgin," and "Song of the German Sword," among others. In the publisher's original quarter cloth binding with paper covered boards. Externally, smart. Age toning to extremities. Minor rubbing and bumping to extremities. Author's inscription to front free endpaper. One or two very minor handling marks to boards. Internally, firmly bound. Hinges slightly cracked in places, but firm. Pages bright and clean if slightly age toned, with one or two spots. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .