savageletters

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From too much love of living From hope and fear set free,

To where the weariest river Must wind to the sea.

And no one shall work for money and on one shall work for fame;

But each for the joy or the working, and each, in his separate star.

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Original photograph, Sphinx, Giza, 1900s.

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How times have changed. 

But if we go on consuming, we will get back to the ABCs of 1884, don't you think?

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“I’m going to build my own coffin. I just thought you should know.”

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William Blake's illustrated lithograph prints. This series feature his more 'morbid' fascinations, and if you compare with his 'angelic' illustrations, mirror the simplistic veins of good and evil, creativity and madness, child-likeness and childishness...

Antique and Vintage Lithographs

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William Blake's illustrated lithographs. This series here depicts his more 'pastel' imaginings. His darker series next.

Antique and Vintage Lithographs

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The Fisherman And His Soul And Other Tales, Oscar Wilde

Likely the most illustrated Oscar Wilde book we’ve come across. 15 bookplate illustrations all intact - fiends would have sold them $XX apiece.

The colors! It’s splendid how these bookplates contribute to the storytelling of Oscar Wilde. Published in 1929.

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Dark Of The Moon, Sara Teasdale, 1928

Beyond all that I love of her poetry, I love her succinct and plain voice, 'plain' in the way a green plain can spark... I love that the title is not the dark side, but the dark of the moon. Her poetry is sensitive and thus surprising like this - one is able to fancy one's whim, whether or not she implies; and one is able to be influenced, before too far has come.

This is a copy I may not part with.

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Whitman's Poems, 1902

With biographical introduction by John Burroughs, this beautiful, slim suede copy includes Leaves Of Grass and other poems, in gilt pages and good health. 

One appreciates Whitman like wine. The older I am, the better he reads, and the younger we both grow. Whitman is tender like that.

What can the future bring me more than I have? Do you suppose I wish to enjoy life in other spheres? I say distinctly I comprehend no better sphere than       this earth, I comprehend no better life than the life of my body.

Song Of Myself

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Sadism and Masochism, The Psychology of Hatred and Cruelty, 1939

Interesting Pre-War insight goes beyond time's passing, especially if you consider how little the man in the street discerns between sadism/masochism and his inner condition.

Of course this is a book that talks about homosexuality as an extension of the befitting conditions! But some parts are gems, and got me thinking. 

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Love Poems From The Greek Anthology, 1955

Lofty line drawings in monotone. Perfect in its slipcase, and because her womb bore sons.

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Poems by Paul Verlaine, 1961

The first poem in Rimbaud's honor, what else to say of love and dread. This copy features sombre sketch illustrations rather befitting of the tortured existence, the art and pen, of Verlaine.

Verlaine (far left) and Rimbaud (second to left) in an 1872 painting by Henri Fantin-Latour.

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Japanese Paper Cutting Book

A lovely handcrafted piece meant to be a guestbook, but heaven forbid! A treasure we've held for a while.  

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Japanese Fairy Tales, 1948

Told by Lafcadio Hearns, this landscape book is a storyteller's palette, with 11 full-page illustrations in fuchsia-aqua theme. 

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Still working on it.

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Chinese Love Lyrics 

When translation falls within the tree's shadow. Here is a good line - human angst forever at Nature's rhythm.  

These lines:

If I were a tree or a plant I would feel the soft influence of Spring. Since I am a man... Do not be astonished at my joy.

1005 A.D. Verbosity, simply.