£40
FIRST EDITION, 8vo, pp. xv, [i], 184. Later orange textured boards. Poor-quality paper a little toned, first and last leaves more so, blank front flyleaf a little chipped and torn to edge. A little rubbed, spine creased, rear joint starting. Bookplate of Norman and Janey Buchan to flyleaf.
A scarce volume of poetry by sailor, lion-tamer, socialist, member of parliament and antiquarian John Smith Clarke (1885-1959). It contains poetry addressed to Eugene Debs, Karl Marx and Satan, as well as anti-war material including a defence of 'The Flying Corps' - a body of men (including Clarke) who avoided conscription, and were 'flying away from the police and military to avoid arrest' (ODNB).
This copy came from the collection of Glaswegian socialist parliamentarians Norman and Janey Buchan; another copy is in the Janey Buchan Political Song Collection now housed at NLS so perhaps this was Norman's copy. Library Hub records 5 further holdings.
