Description
First edition of Mawrdew Czgowchwz by James McCourt, inscribed to poet John Hollander.
Octavo, 230pp. Orange hardcover, beige cloth spine, title in gilt on spine and stamped in blind on front cover. Stated “First edition, 1975” on copyright page. Solid text block, a fine example. In publisher’s dust jacket, $8.95 retail price on front flap, a touch of shelf wear, a near fine example. Inscribed on front free endpaper: “January 1975, For John Hollander, with thanks and esteem… / James McCourt.” Signed on rear flyleaf: “Mwe grozio! / Mawrdew Czgowchwz,” or “I am afraid” in English.
James McCourt (b. 1941) is an author and graduate of Yale School of Drama. Mawrdew Czgowchwz is McCourt’s debut piece and his best-known work, centering around the life of a fictional opera diva. John Hollander (1929-2013) was a poet who also served as the Sterling Professor Emeritus of English at Yale University at the time of his passing. Hollander wrote a myriad of works, notably receiving the Bollingen Prize for his technical masterpiece “Powers of Thirteen.”
