is 5

by E.E. Cummings

First edition.  New York:  Boni & Liveright, 1926  

Hardback is overall in VERY GOOD- condition.

• Orange covers with black text and black cloth at spine. 
• Boards show some smudges, scuffing, edgewear.  Corners are worn, with exposed board.  See photos.
• Spine has effaced title, with crushed, frayed ends.  See photos.
• Binding is secure, shows a crack at half-title page.  See photos.  
• Pastedowns and feps have some writing, owner's name in pencil.
• Interior is gently age-toned, exhibits light edgewear at page openings, an offset stain pgs. 78-79.  See photos.  
• Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks. 
• Text block edges have untrimmed fore edges, a few marks at head.  See photos.  
• Glassine wrap is chipped along head.
• PS2026.0521

115 pages. 5 1/2 x 8 1/8 inches

First edition, first printing of the first trade edition.  Publisher's gilt-flecked orange paper boards with black cloth at spine, title in black ink to top board.  Title page bears a large "5" in red ink.  Orange paper is worn away at board edges; apart from this the book presents well with unmarked interior and gently tanned pages.  Condition is overall Very Good Minus.

The fourth collection of poetry, and fifth published work by E.E. Cummings (1894-1962), the modernist American poet and playwright.  The title originates from Cummings' foreword, where he argues that while it is "indisputably known" that two times two is four, a poet can explore possibilities where two times two is five.  

This first edition was published simultaneously with a "special limited edition" of seventy-seven numbered & signed copies as noted on colophon at recto of front endpaper.

Printed by Samuel Aiwaz Jacobs at the Polytype Press, New York.  

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

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