I acquired this when I read Karen Nyman's charming description of it. Specifically, I was taken by the description of Charles F. Lummis' life which I would categorize as "Poetry as a way of life"! I'm delighted to have it:
The Birch Bark Poems of Charles F. Lummis by Dudley Gordon. Los Angeles CA: Dawson’s Book Shop, 1969.
27 pp. letterpress; illustrated throughout. The story of Charles Lummis’ miniature editions, printed on real birch bark and issued from 1878-83. They were titled Birch Bark Poems and are very difficult to find today. Includes birch bark sample frontispiece and sewn-in covers of one of Lummis’ books. This very informative book is illustrated with a photo of Lummis as a Harvard student in 1878 plus an additional photo taken in 1886 in Los Angeles. It also includes a poster advertising the Fourth Edition. The excellent 13-page text is supplemented with a list of the eleven editions of Birch Bark Poems. Bound in printed pale green cloth boards by Bela Blau. Measures 3″ x 2-1/2″.
In the summer of 1878, Lummis worked at a New Hampshire resort as the hotel printer. The splendor of his surroundings inspired him to express his thoughts in verse and to print his poems on birch bark. He gathered strips of birch bark, set the type, did the printing and assembling and sold the volumes by subscription. The 12-page volumes measured 2-7/8″ by 2-3/8″. The cost: 25 cents! Lummis used the money to pay for college. Teddy Roosevelt was a fellow Harvard student and bought a copy for his sister. For 40 years thereafter, Lummis and T. R. continued a respectful friendship.
Lummis continued to produce his little book for several years and eventually sold 14,000 copies. In later years, Lummis settled in Los Angeles, where he became known as a journalist, historian, activist, photographer, ethnographer, archaeologist, poet, and librarian.
I also became interested because of the interior images (courtesy of Karen Nyman):
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