Inscribed by the Great Cuban Poet
Cantos para soldados y sones para turistas
Publication: México [Mexico City]: Editorial Masas, 1937. First Edition.
Notes: A nicely inscribed copy of this collection of poems with military themes published just before Guillén left for Spain to volunteer in the Spanish Civil War.
Guillén (1902–1989) was the national poet of Cuba and one of the leading Afro-Cuban writers. His commitment to revolution never wavered. Before Castro came to power, Guillén was periodically exiled from the island for his political views and many of his early books, like this one, were published abroad. Guillén's introduction to English-speaking audiences primarily came through translations of his poems by his friend Langston Hughes.
84 pages, with two reproductions of woodblock prints by José Chávez Morado. Long introduction by Juan Marinello.
SOURCE: This came from the collection of a collector-friend that I've known for so long that I can no longer remember how or when we met. He has an extraordinary collection of Latin American literature but like everyone else, finds his space limited. From time to time, he lets me have his duplicates. If this was his second-rate copy, imagine the inscription in the copy he kept.
Edition + Condition: First edition (first printing). A very good copy with minor wear and chipping to the edges. This copy is inscribed to two previous owners (hard to read but possibly Julita Crespo de la Serda and Chucho Durón) as a "testimonio de un invariable afecto. México Junio 1937. Guillén." Uncommon inscribed.
Item No: #364209
Price: $500