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65 HOUSMAN, A. E. A Shropshire Lad. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner, & Co. Ltd, 1896 From the library of a conscientious objector First edition, first impression, first issue, the copy of notable Quaker politician and social reformer Thomas Edmund Harvey, with his bookplate on the front pastedown and his ownership inscription on the front free endpaper, “T. Ed. Harvey, Christ Church Oxford, 30.V.1896”, with an autograph poem addressed to Houseman on the rear free endpaper. Harvey and Housman read Classics at Oxford a few years apart. Harvey (1875–1995) was deeply interested in social reform and welfare. He was an advocate of conscientious objection, and a well-respected orator, who balanced “the imperatives of his Quaker faith with a cogent reliance on rational argument. He was never reticent about expressing his belief in a ‘higher duty’, but his ability to present political arguments ensured that he was highly respected by MPs on both sides of the House of Commons” ( ODNB ). Both Harvey and Housman read Classics at Oxford, Harvey at Christ Church, Housman a few years prior at St. Johns. Although Housman was a prominent atheist, it is evident that the devout Harvey took inspiration from this work, concerned as it is with themes of the young dying in war. The final lines of his poem are implicitly addressed to Housman, suggesting that Harvey found solace in the book: “For you have laid your finger, on the closed door of the soul”.
Although A Shropshire Lad was not an immediate success, it gained popularity during the Boer War and the First World War. “In a period of war, uneasy peace, and rapid social change, Housman was one of the most familiar and most highly regarded of the poets of his time. His celebration of landscapes and a rural life distinctively and traditionally English contributed to his poetry’s appeal” ( ODNB ). Harvey’s bookplate is a striking example of Cyril Goldie’s work (1872–1942): an intricate allegorical wood engraving of skeletal vines and roots twined with skulls, poppies, scrolled papers, and books against a distant moon. This copy also has the Rockwell Kent designed bookplate of American collector Henry Lewis Batterman Jr. loosely inserted, having previously been considerately adhered to the head of the front pastedown. There were 500 copies of the first edition, 250 of which were bound for the first issue. There are four variants of the spine label, with A (as here) having priority. Octavo. Original japon-backed paper boards, Carter’s A spine label, edges untrimmed. Housed in custom green quarter morocco slipcase and chemise. Title page printed in red and black. Soiled, spine and extremities toned and rubbed, corners and top edge of rear board a little worn, tiny ink numbers on rear cover. A very good copy indeed, binding firm, and internally fresh. ¶ Carter-Sparrow-White 2; Hayward 305. Peter Brock, Against the Draft, Essays on Conscientious Objection , 2006. £5,000 [157150]
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