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The Colossus of Maroussi

Item date(s): 1941

Walter Whall Battiss  (1906-1982) - (annotated by)


Pages: 244pp
Size: 217mm
Language: English
Inscription: Given to me by John Wickens. Walter Battiss. 1979.


Place publication: Norfolk, Conn
Publisher: New Directions

Additional notes:
The book is heavily annotated with textual comments and drawings in almost every blank space.

It appears that Battiss only read Part One as there are no annotations thereafter.

Verso of the free front endpaper is signed by Henry Miller and Battiss has written: In winter my body doesn't want to move - is it a form of hibernation?

Recto of the free front endpaper and following blank page: Henry Miller as a boy. Nauplia page 75. W. Battiss 28.6.81 with a drawing over the two pages.

Facing title page: Black; red; green. Drawing dated 28.6.81 and signed W.B.

Title page: under "Maroussi" Battiss writes KATSUMBALIS [Greek poet] and the inscription.

Pencil drawings (page numbers follow sequence but do not indicate number):

Page prior to page 1: Where.

Page 1: HM playing ping pong. [A drawing incorporating the part title 'PART ONE' into his hat].

Page 2: Life on Mars.

Page 3: Untitled. Above opening text.

Page 242: Gumboot.

Page 243: Untitled. Above Appendix.

Page 245: People promenading on a Greek Island.

Page 246: Chair sitting on a man.

Page 247: Clockmobile - Time on the move. Clock on wheels. Catapult. Two drawings.

Page 248: Discontented mountain moving to another place.

Page 249: Waterfall learning to write. Cloud with flowers over a cay. Two drawings. [A cay is a small, low-elevation, sandy island on the surface of a coral reef].

Page 250: [Five lettered animals. Elephant; Cat; Horse; Dog; Fish].

Page 251: Bent Tent.

Page 252: Why not? Tent. Two drawings.

Page 253: Comet of 2052 AD; A Fig Stye (sic); Genetically flawed. Three drawings.

Page 254: A Sea with Holes in it. Signed W. Battiss and dated 28.6.81.

The dustjacket is damaged but has been retained in an envelope at the back.

Ref: GB/30347







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