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Edward Thomas

Carr reported in his History of the QTP (1987) that he had published four books of the poems of Edward Thomas (1878-1917). Four books have been found, each with a different cover design and slightly different internally, so they are described as different editions. They are ordered by the number of titles listed inside the rear cover then the last lists none. The fourth edition states that there are 50 in the series, which means it is dated around 1982, so may have been reprinted later. The ISBN might have been allocated to the second impression, as 1975 seems a bit late to have published only 10 titles; 20 is more likely.

(Last updated on 28/9/2022, when the second edition was found)

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Rear and front covers (click to enlarge)

Inside rear cover (click to enlarge)

Content: Dates of birth and death; poem by P.J. Kavanagh about Thomas; three quotations about Thomas. Poems: Yes. I remember Adlestrop...; But these things also are Spring's...; And you, Helen, what should I give you?...; If I should ever by chance grow rich...; Now first, as I shut the door,...; Tall nettles cover up...; Over the land freckled with snow half-thawed...; Old Man, or Lad's-love...; I am alone in the dark still night...; Rain, midnight rain...; What does it mean?...; The green elm...; The glory of the beauty of the monring...; It seems I have no tears left...; It was upon a July evening.

Notes: The book contains credits to Mfanwy Thomas, Laurence Whistler, P.J. Kavanagh and the publishers, Faber & Faber. It was issued in Mini-Poets series. This is the first edition but, given the number of titles listed, it may not be the impression given an ISBN in August 1975, as that is a later date than other impressions that also list only 15 titles.

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Rear and front covers (click to enlarge)

Inside rear cover (click to enlarge)

Content: Dates of birth and death; poem by P.J. Kavanagh about Thomas; three quotations about Thomas; Yes. I remember Adlestrop...; But these things also are Spring's...; And you, Helen, what should I give you?...; If I should ever by chance grow rich...; Now first, as I shut the door,...; Tall nettles cover up...; Over the land freckled with snow half-thawed...; Old Man, or Lad's-love...; I am alone in the dark still night...; Rain, midnight rain...; What does it mean?...; The green elm...; The glory of the beauty of the morning...; Awhile forgetting how I am fast pent..; It was upon a July evening.

Notes: The book contains credits to Mfanwy Thomas, Laurence Whistler, P.J. Kavanagh and the publishers, Faber & Faber. This is a slightly taller and wider edition than most. The poem on page 15 was changed.

The rear cover is described inside the rear cover: 'On the back is a memorial window of engraved glass to the poet and his wife, in Eastbury Church, near lambourn, Berks. By Laurence Whistler, 1972. Photographed at night'. The window was later smashed by vandals.

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Rear and front covers (click to enlarge)

Inside rear cover (click to enlarge)

Content: Dates of birth and death; poem by P.J. Kavanagh about Thomas; three quotations about Thomas; Over the land freckled... Poems: Yes. I remember Adlestrop...; But these things also are Spring's...; And you, Helen, what should I give you?...; If I should ever by chance grow rich...; Now first, as I shut the door,...; Tall nettles cover up...; Over the land freckled with snow half-thawed...; Old Man, or Lad's-love...; I am alone in the dark still night...; Rain, midnight rain...; What does it mean?...; The green elm...; The glory of the beauty of the morning...; Awhile forgetting how I am fast pent..; It was upon a July evening.

Notes: The book contains credits to Mfanwy Thomas, P.J. Kavanagh and the publishers, Faber & Faber. This is a slightly taller and wider edition than most. The poem on page 15 was changed. The rear cover was changed, perhaps because the engraved glass window by Laurence Whistler that commemorated Thomas had been smached by vandals?

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Rear and front covers (click to enlarge)

Inside rear cover (click to enlarge)

Content: Dates of birth and death; story about W.H. Davies; quotation by Joseph Conrad about Thomas; quote from Thomas; credits. Poems: Yes. I remember Adlestrop...; If I should ever by chance grow rich...; But these things also are Spring's...; Rain, midnight rain...; Out in the dark over the snow...; Now first, as I shut the door,...; And you, Helen, what should I give you?...; Old Man, or Lad's-love...; Tall nettles cover up...; Over the land freckled with snow half-thawed...; I am alone in the dark still night...; It was upon a July evening...; The glory of the beauty of the morning...; Gallows; It seems I have no tears left...

Notes: The order of poems was changed and new poems added plus some text.

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