[Fine Binding | Ringer | Holograph Poem by Eugene Field] A Little Book of Western Verse

Field, Eugene. A Little Book of Western Verse. [Privately Printed for Subscribers,] 1889. Limited to 250 copies, of which this is #219. A signed, holograph poem by Field on the second flyleaf, with a small colored sketch of a girl (presumably the one mentioned in the poem):

The garden may wither, the silver-bird fly -
But what careth my little precious, or I?
From her pathway of flowers that in springtime upstart
She walketh the tenderer way in my heart!
And, oh! it is always the summertime here
With that song of "I love you", my Little-Oh-Dear!
-Eugene Field.
Chicago, June 13, 1894

First publication of "Little Boy Blue" and "Dutch Lullaby" ("Wynken, Blynken, and Nod"), among others. Full green morocco by Ringer with stippled design in gilt to each corner of inner frame on both covers. Six compartments to spine with title and author to second and third compartments, and fully stippled design to remaining compartments. Gilt-ruled and rolled turn-ins framing gilt decorated cream morocco doublures. Watered silk flyleaves. Top edge gilt. Measures approx. 5.5" x 8.25". Spine faded to brown, with a few spots of light rubbing to covers, and slight fading to margins of rear cover.