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15. CUNARD, Nancy. Outlaws. Poems. London: Elkin Matthews (1921). 63pp. The eccentric
heiress's first publication, a collection of poetry that appeared shortly after her move to Paris and
her initiation into the expatriate world in which she lived the rest of her life. She went on to found
her own Hours Press several years later and became an icon of style and progressive politics,
eventually being disowned by her wealthy family for her unconventional behavior. Many of the
poems vividly reflect her tumultuous emotional life, written shortly after the death of her first
husband: "Let my impatience guide you now, I feel/ You have not known that glorious discontent/That
leads me on: the wandering after dreams/ And the long chasing in the labyrinth..." The
book was generally praised by critics: "[With] energy and economy [and] by sheer intrepidity, she
lifts herself above the throng of poets of our time." (New Age, 26 May 1921.) See Gordon, Nancy
Cunard: Heiress, Muse, Political Idealist (119-121).
Very good in charcoal boards, spine and cover labels, lightly marked, endpapers yellowed.
A quite uncommon book in commerce. $750.
16. DAVIDSON, Michael. Love on a Greek Island. An original corrected typescript of this "novelette"
by the author of Some Boys and The World The Flesh and Myself. The story revolves around
the lives and loves of a small group of expatriates on a Greek island after World War II. Although
not explicitly dealing with gay subject matter, there are a number of allusions to unconventional
sexual tastes and the portrayal of certain characters leaves not much room for confusion.
Never published, the manuscript bears a dedication to Robin Maugham, whom the
author had met in Tangier in 1947. Davidson later sailed with Maugham and his lover, on their
yacht Clio, to Capri to pay homage to the venerable Norman Douglas. The manuscript bears a
number of penned corrections in the hand of the author and is in good condition with edge wear
and some spotting. Bound in a paper binding, along with a 1pp ALS from Colin Spencer regarding
the copyright to the work. $650.