Skip to content

How to Read

POUND, Ezra.

  • Publisher: Desmond Harmsworth
  • Published: [1931] , London
First edition, a fine association copy. Agnes Bedford (1892-1969) was a lifelong friend of Pound (they first met in 1919 and corresponded until 1963 when he unexpectedly severed contact) and through him of Wyndham Lewis, with whom she had an affair in the 1920s. A vocal coach and accompanist, she provided the music for Pound's Five Troubadour Songs (1920). After he left for Paris in January 1920, Bedford sublet his flat; she then visited him in Paris the following year, where she was the principal amanuensis for his opera based on Villon's Le Testament. She was later the rehearsal coach for its first performance in 1931 and her contacts were vital to the casting of singers (Bridson was later involved in the first broadcast of the opera in 1962, for which Bedford was frequently consulted). Laid in here is a copy of a letter of 4 May 1969 from Bedford to Bridson on his retirement – 'I have been so happy to read all the appreciative things about you on all sides' – recalling 'happy times at Studio A' and Bridson's 'kind friendship & affection for Wyndham'. Pound and D. G. Bridson first crossed paths in the 1930s when Pound included a poem by Bridson in his Active Anthology (1933) – they corresponded at that time but they did not meet until 1951 when Bridson, now a force to reckoned with in BBC radio, came to Washington DC to record Pound from his detention in St Elizabeth's Hospital. 'To me, Pound … was the greatest living poet', Bridson later wrote in Prospero and Ariel. Bridson produced Women of Trachis for radio in 1954, visited Pound again in 1956 to make some recordings, including 'Four Steps', Pound's famous justification for his support of Mussolini; and then shot a television profile on Pound in Rapallo in 1959. They continued to meet and talk until 1963 as Pound lapsed slowly in silence. Gallup A33a.

Offered by Bernard Quaritch Ltd

Bernard Quaritch Ltd

36 Bedford Row
London WC1R 4JH

Store Hours

Monday–Fri 10.00–6.00, and by appointment

One of the world's oldest and best-known firms of booksellers, Bernard Quaritch Ltd has been dealing in rare books and manuscripts of all periods and in all subjects since 1847. Archives, valuations, & auction commissions. Catalogues issued regularly.

Terms of Sale for Bernard Quaritch Ltd

Bernard Quaritch Ltd is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA) of Great Britain, and of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). We observe the highest professional and ethical standards, and abide by the ABA Code of Good Practice. Descriptions and Authenticity We guarantee the authenticity and completeness of every item and will clearly note any defect in our description. We will describe the condition of the goods at the time of the sale and provide any information in our possession about condition for which you may reasonably ask. Export Licensing Customers outside the EU should be aware that books over 100 years old and photographs over 50 years old with a value exceeding the EU thresholds at the point of sale, and all manuscript items over 50 years old require an export licence, which may take around four weeks to be granted. Within the EU, items over 50 years old and with a value exceeding the current OGEL (Open General Export Licence) thresholds are also subject to export licence regulations. Delivery cannot be made until the licence is granted. We will handle all aspects of the export licence application where required. Delivery Items will be dispatched either within 7 days after full payment has been received, or after any required export licenses have been granted. Please note that every effort will be made to meet the delivery times and dates required, however no liability is accepted for any costs, expenses or damages arising from any delay. Please note that all items with a value in excess of £2000 will be sent by courier (Transworld within the UK or FedEx for overseas deliveries) unless you expressly request an alternative delivery method. All items are fully insured. For items with a value in excess of £300 we charge an additional £5 packing charge. Items damaged or not as described Please ensure you inspect all items upon receipt and notify us immediately if you are not satisfied that they are in the condition described.