First edition of Housman's celebrated collection of poems. The author's rare first book; A Shropshire Lad was originally offered to Macmillan under the title Poems by Terence Hearsay but declined, and then published at Housman's expense in March 1896. 'Though not an instant success, the little volume gradually won a large audience through the universality of its dominant themes (nature, love, war, and death) and the directness of its language and rhythms'; (Page, Oxford DNB). The first printing consisted of 500 sets of sheets. 150 were bound for the American issue, 250 bound for the first British issue, the remaining 100 copies were bound later for Britain.The book has been in print continuously since May, 1896.

From the libraries of Richard Bayard Dominick (1919-1976) an American ophthalmologist, outdoorsman, and amateur lepidopterist, who established the Wedge Entomology Research Foundation; and Julia Dean? (1878-1952), American stage and film actress.

First edition, first printing, one of 500 copies; 8vo (111 x 175 mm); half-title, title-page printed in red and black, small closed tear to half-title, faded ownership name to p. 1**, generally toned but very good; publisher's quarter parchment, over paper boards, printed spine label (the first state with 'Shropshire' measuring 33 mm.), loss to both ends of label and very darkened, 'Shropshire Lad by A.E. Hous' still extant, edges uncut, dust-soiled and worn, more so to corners but still very sound, unrestored and attractive; preserved in a later cloth-covered slip-case.