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100 YEATS, W. B. (ed.) The Oxford Book of Modern Verse 1892–1935. Oxford: at the Clarendon Press, 1936 Inscribed to his lover, contributor to the volume, and poetic inspiration First edition, first impression, presentation copy, inscribed by the author to his lover Margot Ruddock on the front free endpaper, “Margot from W.B.Y. Nov 1936.” Marguerite (“Margot”) Ruddock (1907–1951) had an intense relationship with Yeats in the mid-1930s; she was also known by her stage name, Margot Collis.
Ruddock was also a poet and Yeats is said to have helped edit her works. Seven of her poems appear in this edition of The Oxford Book of Modern Verse 1892–1935 . Yeats noted in his introduction that he had chosen “half a dozen little poems, which remind me of Emily Brontë, by Margot Ruddock, a young actress well known on the provincial stage”. At the time of her relationship with Yeats, Ruddock was married to actor Raymond Lovell. She fell passionately in love with Yeats, though he remained married to Georgie. The relationship unravelled and Ruddock became unstable, pursuing the poet to Majorca. She is thought to have provided Yeats with the inspiration for his poem “A Crazed Girl”. Their correspondence was later published under the title Ah, Sweet Dancer in 1970. Octavo. Original blue cloth, lettering and decorative borders to spine and front cover in gilt, top edge gilt. Extremities bumped and rubbed, spine tanned and covers lightly soiled, some light internal browning and finger-soiling; a good copy. ¶ Wade 250. £3,500 [151379]
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