The Complete Poems of Robert Service – Robert Service FIRST edition– 1945 Dodd, Mead & Company Hardcover

A substantial 1945 vintage hardcover of The Complete Poems of Robert Service by Robert Service, this collected poetry volume brings together Service's well-known verse in a single large-format edition.

Published by Dodd, Mead & Company in New York in 1945, this edition is documented as a first edition thus and contains 735 pages, including an index of first lines. 

Robert Service is particularly associated with adventurous, narrative poetry inspired by the Yukon, the Klondike, travel, romance, war, and colorful characters, making his work especially appealing to collectors of vintage poetry and early-to-mid-20th-century literature.

This particular copy has wonderful vintage-library character. The dark blue cloth-covered boards feature faded gilt lettering, while the thick text block and heavily aged binding give it an authentic old-book appearance.

Details

• Title: The Complete Poems of Robert Service
• Author: Robert Service
• Publisher: Dodd, Mead & Company
• Publication Date: 1945
• Place of Publication: New York, New York
• Edition: First edition thus
• Format: Hardcover
• Binding: Cloth-covered hardcover
• Language: English
• Size: Approximately 8vo / 8"–9¾" tall
• Subject: Poetry, literature, narrative poetry
• Genre: Poetry / Classic Literature
• Era: 1940s / Mid-Century
• Country of Publication: United States
• Country of Origin: United States 
• ISBN: None; this edition predates modern ISBN usage
• Included: One 1945 hardcover volume

The 1945 Dodd, Mead edition is independently documented as a 735-page hardcover and as a first edition thus by bookseller bibliographic records. 

Condition: New Condition

Please note that this is a vintage book with substantial visible age and handling wear, and the photographs should be considered an important part of the condition description.

The dark blue cloth boards show extensive rubbing, surface discoloration, fading, scuffing, and general age wear. The corners and edges are worn, and there is noticeable fraying and deterioration around the top and bottom of the spine. The gilt lettering on the front cover and spine is significantly faded but remains partially visible.

The interior pages show age toning and discoloration, particularly around the page edges. The text pages photographed appear readable, with the binding still functioning well enough to display the book open, although the book has clearly experienced considerable age and use.

There is no dust jacket.

The page block is substantial and the photographed pages appear complete in the areas shown. Because only selected pages are visible in the photographs, I would avoid guaranteeing completeness beyond what can be reasonably established from the images.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they are part of the description and show the actual item being offered.

Styling: This is a wonderful old-library and vintage literary display book.

The combination of the dark navy/blue cloth binding, faded gilt lettering, substantial 735-page text block, and aged paper gives it a wonderfully authentic antique-library appearance.

It would work beautifully in:

• Traditional libraries
• Studies and home offices
• Bookshelf displays
• Cottage and cabin décor
• Literary-themed interiors
• Vintage travel décor
• Masculine study décor
• Cabin or lodge-inspired spaces
• Collections of classic poetry
• Vintage book stacks

Robert Service's poetry also gives the book strong Yukon, wilderness, adventure, and travel appeal. His famous poems and collections make this particularly appropriate for readers who enjoy historical poetry with storytelling, humor, romance, and adventure.

The photographed pages provide a nice glimpse into the volume, including “Teddy Bear” and “The Outlaw,” while the opening pages list Service's earlier poetry collections.

The 1945 edition is especially interesting because bibliographic records distinguish it from the numerous later printings and editions of The Complete Poems. The 1945 copy is specifically described by one bookseller as a first edition thus.

This is less about pristine collector condition and more about the character, age, literary history, and decorative presence of an authentic 1940s poetry volume.

Shipping: This is a large, substantial vintage hardcover and will require protective packaging to help safeguard the worn cloth binding and corners during transit.

It will be shipped securely in protective packaging to help prevent additional bending, scuffing, corner damage, or shipping-related wear.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout and are paid by the buyer.

One of a kind. Once this Ugly Duckling finds its new home, it's gone.