John Ciardi Collection
Manuscript Collection 372

SUBGROUP I: Books
Series 1: Books of Adult Poetry

HOMEWARD TO AMERICA. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1940. Signed first edition. Inscribed on front end paper to Roy Cowden, who was Ciardi's professor at the University of Michigan, where he took an M.A. in 1939, the same year he won the annual Hopwood Award with the manuscript that became Homeward to America in 1940. Cowden was the head of the Hopwood program and the man to whom the 1939 prize manuscript was handed.
To Professor Cowden
--down payment.
John Ciardi

HOMEWARD TO AMERICA. New York. Henery Holt and Co., 1940. First edition. Signed and inscribed:
To Louis Scarpellino
Sincerely
John Ciardi

HOMEWARD TO AMERICA. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1940. Signed first edition (no dj) inscribed:
To Hank and Fran
brazenly enough volunteered
but leaving a wish with two of
the world's choicest people in the
finest house in Denver
Attest
John Ciardi

HOMEWARD TO AMERICA. Signed first edition inscribed:
To Jack Thompson
--John Ciardi

HOMEWARD TO AMERICA. First edition. No d/j.

NEW POETS. Anthology edited by Tom Boggs. Prairie City, IL: The Press of James A. Decker, 1941. Includes 13 Ciardi poems. Signed first edition inscribed to John Holmes: John for John [and then he identifies himself as] the (1/7th author).

NEW POETS. Spiral binding broken in the middle. Front cover no longer attached. Gift of Judith Ciardi.

COMPASS. A QUARTERLY-ANTHOLOGY OF MODERN POETRY, edited by Tom Boggs. Prairie City, IL: The Press of James A. Decker, 1941. Includes two Ciardi poems and a prose statement (p. 50).

OTHER SKIES. Boston: An Atlantic Monthly Press Book. Little, Brown and Company, 1947. Signed and inscribed first edition.
For Constance-in confidence that the best
will outshine all else.
And still the wish is theological:
Though saints are out of office and heaven not listed,
our hungry cells [?] whose motive is groceries
are speculative fools [?] and have invested
In heavens of their own. They play on margin,
And fail at last, but for a while they win.
John Ciardi

OTHER SKIES. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1947. (An Atlantic Monthly Press book). Signed first edition inscribed:
for Dr. Charles Shornstein
John Ciardi
Bread Loaf 1948

OTHER SKIES. Second copy. First edition. Presentation copy. Signed by Daniel Hoffman (last name only).

OTHER SKIES. First edition.

LIVE ANOTHER DAY. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1949. Signed first edition.

LIVE ANOTHER DAY. Signed first edition inscribed:
for Edna Hale
with best wishes at
the end of the conference
John Ciardi
Bread Loaf 1950

LIVE ANOTHER DAY. Signed first edition. Important association copy, inscribed to Ted Morrison:
for Ted
Who stood by blackboards doodled with good data
And diagrammed civilization's eccentric charm
In smiles of admirable uncertainty
John

MID-CENTURY AMERICAN POETS. Anthology edited by Ciardi. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1950. Includes two Ciardi poems. First printing. Signed on front end paper. Gift from Judith Ciardi.

MID-CENTURY AMERICAN POETS. Signed and inscribed first edition. An especially important copy
inscribed to Ciardi's mentor at the University of Michigan, Roy Cowden, who also supervised the Hopwood Award that Ciardi won in 1939.
For Professor Roy W. Cowden
in gratitude and admiration
and always with pleasure
John Ciardi

MID-CENTURY AMERICAN POETS. First edition. Unsigned, but apparently owned by Ted Morrison, who has a
poem signed over to him (and laid in) by Peter Viereck, one of the poets in the book. Another unsigned poem by Viereck is also laid in.

MID-CENTURY AMERICAN POETS. Second printing, January 1952.

MID-CENTURY AMERICAN POETS. Three additional copies:
1. Second printing.
2. Second printing.
3. Second printing.

FROM TIME TO TIME. New York: Twayne Publishers Inc., 1951. Signed first edition. Some of these first editions, including this one, came off the press with the initials JC on the front cover. This one comes from the United States Marine Corps Archive and is inscribed and dated to Constance Caraway, who may have been married at this time to Gen. Graves Erskine:
NY Dec. 5, 1951
for Connie
with affection and with
inter-continental pleasures
to recall.
John

FROM TIME TO TIME. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1951. Signed and inscribed first edition; presentation copy to fellow poet Joseph Langland.
For Joe Langland
gratefully, in admiration,
and in anticipation, and
from an amateur to a
professional parent. Many thanks.
John Ciardi

Also signed by Langland, twice: signed and dated Dec. 27, 1951 on inside front cover. Pencil notes by Langland.

FROM TIME TO TIME. First edition signed. Important association copy inscribed to Ted Morrison:
To Ted,
the mountain and the mountain
beyond the mountain
from the muddy throat of the gulf.
John

FROM TIME TO TIME. First edition signed and inscribed (but without a name):
with a hopeful wish that
there may be pleasure in the
reading
John Ciardi

FROM TIME TO TIME. First edition.

AS IF: POEMS NEW AND SELECTED. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1955. First edition signed. Book is dedicated to Constance Caraway, who has surrounded the author signature with an inscription of her own as she gave the book to "Doris and Perry" at Christmas 1955.

AS IF. Signed first edition inscribed:
For Joe Cohen-
with best wishes-and
with thanks for making
a good visit better-
John Ciardi

AS IF. Signed and inscribed first edition. Inscribed to Ted and Kay Morrison, thus a very important association copy:
For Ted and Kay
with long thoughts
and in strictest is
John

AS IF. Signed, 6th printing. Has partially whited-out stamp of previous owner, Miller Williams, Ciardi's close friend, across bottom pages. Gift of Miller Williams.

AS IF. First edition. Association copy of poet Daniel Hoffman, signed by him and dated 1955.

AS IF. Third printing, signed and inscribed:
For Wallie Ferguson
With good wishes from
The SW Writers' Conference,
Corpus Christi '59
John Ciardi

AS IF. Two additional copies:
1. 6th printing.
2. 6th printing.

I MARRY YOU: A SHEAF OF LOVE POEMS. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1958. First edition. Signed by John Ciardi and Judith Ciardi. Inscribed to John and Doris Holmes (John Holmes was Ciardi's mentor and close
friend).
For Doris as if from John,
to John as if from Doris
to both of you from
both of us with no
as if about it.
John Ciardi
Judith Ciardi

I MARRY YOU. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1958. Signed: John Ciardi.

I MARRY YOU. Signed first edition.

I MARRY YOU. Second printing, signed and inscribed:
for Ruth Ross
with best thanks
John Ciardi

I MARRY YOU. First edition.

I MARRY YOU. 3rd printing. Hardcover.
Signed:
For the Hop goods-
With best wishes
John Ciardi
May 15, 1966

39 POEMS. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press,1959. Signed first edition.

39 POEMS. 5th printing. Signed bookplate attached to inside front cover. Bookplate inscription:
This copy of
[39 POEMS (typed in)]
Inscribed to
Lewis Turco
by
John Ciardi
In friendship, respect, and
admiration.
John
Also signed by poet Lewis Turco on FEP.

39 POEMS. Signed first edition. Signed in title page.

39 POEMS. Three additional copies:
1. First edition.
2. First edition.
3. 5th printing.

IN THE STONEWORKS. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1961.Signed first edition in fine d/j, inscribed to John Holmes on left side of double title page.
John from John
always happily, gratefully,
and in admiration.
John Ciardi
Packard Hall
Nov. 20, 1961.
Laid in: photocopy of ms. Poem "Dragons" (p.78) to John Holmes,
Christmas 1959.

IN THE STONEWORKS. Signed first edition.

IN THE STONEWORKS. Three additional copies:
1. Third printing.
2. Third printing.
3. Third printing.

IN FACT. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1962. Signed first edition in fine d/j, inscribed:
for Helen Hyman
with all good wishes
John Ciardi
Dated, presumably in the hand of the owner,Chautauqua N.Y., July 1963.

IN FACT. Signed first edition.
For Stuart Wright-
In very fact.
John Ciardi
11/30/82

IN FACT. Second printing. Gift from Judith Ciardi or Myra.

IN FACT. First edition.

PERSON TO PERSON. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1964.Signed first edition. Also has signature of owner, Doris Holmes (John Holmes's second wife) on FEP. From Doris Holmes Eyges

PERSON TO PERSON. Signed and inscribed second printing (on inside front flap).
for Avis [De Voto ]--
where the human condition shines-
with love from all the Ciardis-
John

PERSON TO PERSON. Signed opposite title page.

PERSON TO PERSON. Signed first edition.

PERSON TO PERSON. First edition. Review copy. Laid in: a review announcement card from Rutgers Univ. Press.

PERSON TO PERSON. Signed first edition with review announcement card from RUP laid in.

PERSON TO PERSON. Three additional copies:
1. First edition.
2. 4th printing.
3. 4th printing.

THIS STRANGEST EVERYTHING. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1966. Signed first edition in fine d/j, inscribed to Doris Holmes:
for Doris-
Happy Birthday with love
from all Ciardis. Come
again. Come often.
John
Metuchen[,] NJ
Jan 22 1967
From Doris Holmes Eyges

THIS STRANGEST EVERYTHING. Second signed copy. Signed and inscribed.
For Lee Oknongley [?]-
With good wishes-
John Ciardi

THIS STRANGEST EVERYTHING. First edition. Gift from Judith Ciardi or Myra.

THIS STRANGEST EVERYTHING. Third printing.

AN ALPHABESTIARY. Philadelphia, PA: J. B. Lippincott, 1967. Signed first edition. In slip jacket.

AN ALPHABESTIARY. First edition in slip jacket. Gift of Judith Ciardi or Myra.

THE ACHIEVEMENT OF JOHN CIARDI. First Edition. Paperback edition.
Signed:
For Paul Hibbs-
With best wishes on a
Good visit to S.I.U.
John Ciardi
April 9, 1976

Also signed by Willis Williams, Nov. 20, 2001.

LIVES OF X. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1971. Signed and inscribed first edition. Inscribed with first first 10 lines of "The River" (p. 17) and signed
for Vearl-
John Ciardi
May 5, 1983

LIVES OF X. Signed first edition.

LIVES OF X. Pasted-in signed bookplate FEP. First edition.Gift from Judith Ciardi.

LIVES OF X. Two additional copies:
1. First edition.
2. First edition without d/j.

THE LITTLE THAT IS ALL. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1974. Signed first edition inscribed:
f or Vearl Moody-
I have no contract with the truth
but I like to be persuasive what
are you prepared to believe?
John Ciardi
P.S. Sorry, I can't use Addio for this.

THE LITTLE THAT IS ALL. First edition signed and inscribed:
for Sylvia and Art Levinsohn
to take to sea
& to see if it passes the test by water.
Bon voyage & glad returning
John
Dec. 14, 1974

THE LITTLE THAT IS ALL. Third printing. Signed on title page.

THE LITTLE THAT IS ALL.Third printing. Signed and inscribed on title page:
for Gladys Sidnell-
with good wishes
from Chautauqua
John Ciardi

THE LITTLE THAT IS ALL. First edition. Gift from Judith Ciardi

THE LITTLE THAT IS ALL. First edition. Gift from Judith Ciardi or Myra.

FOR INSTANCE. New York: W. W. Norton, 1979. Signed and inscribed first edition. Inscription is a nine-line poem
called "Between" from page 38. Following the poem:
for Vearl Moody
with best wishes.
John Ciardi
April 20, 1981
Good luck with your bookstore!

FOR INSTANCE. Signed by Ciardi.

FOR INSTANCE. Third printing. Gift from Judith Ciardi.

FOR INSTANCE. Paperback edition. First edition.

FOR INSTANCE. Third printing.

SELECTED POEMS. First edition. Laid in: signed bookplate from Moody Books in TN. Gift from University of Arkansas Press.

SELECTED POEMS. Fayetteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press, 1984. First edition. Formerly owned by poet Lew Turco, who wrote some notes in pencil on the page facing the title page. Title page has his pressed seal.

SELECTED POEMS. Paperback edition. Second printing.Gift from University of Arkansas Press.

SELECTED POEMS. Hardcover. Second printing.
Signed:
For John Lewis
for pleasure I hope
John Ciardi

SELECTED POEMS. Paperback edition. First edition.
Signed:
For Paul Bestle
with the hope that…
John Ciardi
Metuchen, N.J.
May 29, 1985

THE BIRDS OF POMPEII. Fayetteville, AR: The University of Arkansas Press, 1985. First edition. Gift from University of Arkansas Press.

THE BIRDS OF POMPEII. First edition. Gift from University of Arkansas Press.

THE BIRDS OF POMPEII. Paperback.

THE BIRDS OF POMPEII. Paperback edition. First edition.
Signed:
For John Lewis
Good to see you again.
John Ciardi

POEMS OF LOVE AND MARRIAGE. Fayetteville, AR: TheUniversity of Arkansas Press, 1988. Posthumously published. First edition. Gift from University of Arkansas Press.

POEMS OF LOVE AND MARRIAGE. First edition.

ECHOES: POEMS LEFT BEHIND. Fayetteville, AR: The University of Arkansas Press, 1989. Posthumously published. First edition.

ECHOES: POEMS LEFT BEHIND. Fayetteville, AR: The University of Arkansas Press, 1989. Posthumously published. Fifth printing, 1993. Gift from University of Arkansas Press.

ECHOES: POEMS LEFT BEHIND. Paperback. Fifth printing, 1993. Gift from University of Arkansas Press.

STATIONS OF THE AIR. Selected and arranged by Miller Williams. Kansas City, MO: University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1993. Review Copy. Posthumously published. First edition. Laid in: Letter to reviewer, signed by Dan Jaffe, identified on the title page as Director of the Press.

EARLY PROOF COPY OF THE COLLECTED POEMS. Bound in paper with a plastic binder. Signed by editor on cover.