Dear lovely death /
Langston Hughes (1902-1967)
Category
Books
Date
1931
Materials
Place of origin
New York
Order this imageCollection
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent
NT 3208942
Caption
'Dear Lovely Death' is a collection of twelve poems by Langston Hughes, one of America’s greatest poets and a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance. As the title poem suggests the collection largely reflects on the nature of life and death, reflections that are underpinned throughout by the prejudiced world in which Hughes wrote. The collection was printed in a signed, limited edition of 100 at the Troutbeck Press, the printing operation based at the New York home of Amy and Joel and Spingarn. The Spingarns were prominent advocates for racial equality, and are arguably the most influential white people within the civil rights movement. Amy was a patron of Hughes, providing the funds to see him through university. Her portrait of the poet faces the title-page. This copy is in the collection at Sissinghurst. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson embarked on an extensive American lecture tour in the first few months of 1933 and it is likely that 'Dear Lovely Death' was acquired during this time.
Summary
Dear Lovely Death (Amenia, New York, 1931) by Langston Hughes. One of 100 signed copies of Hughes's book, which was printed and issued from the Troutbeck Press of Amy and Joel Spingarn.
Bibliographic description
[18] p. : mounted front. (port.) ; 22 cm. Signed: Langston Hughes. Binding: publisher's black cloth spine, orange paper boards, black lettered, with black pictorial. (Slight insect damage to paper spine labe and boards.)
Makers and roles
Langston Hughes (1902-1967), author