Rilke (Rainer Maria) Poems, translated by J.B. Leishman, first English edition, initialled presentation inscription from the translator to John Everett Butt, some soiling to later pages, original cloth, light toning to spine, slight fraying to spine tips and corners, housed in cloth chemise, Hogarth Press, 1934; with 5 Autograph Letters., 1 Autograph Card and 1 Typed Letter, all signed from Stephen Spender, 2 Typed Letters signed from Margaret West and 4 Typed Letters signed from Leonard Woolf (one signed per procurationem) all to Leishman, house together in chemise and both chemises in custom morocco-backed slip-case, 8vo.

⁂ An excellent series of letters that chart much of Leishman's efforts publishing his translations of Rilke and his famous collaboration with Stephen Spender on Duino Elegies.

The letters from Woolf and West, dated from 18th July 1933 - 6th June 1935, show Woolf as initially hesitant, stating in July 1933, "I am afraid that my experience with Rilke, and with publications of poetry, indicates that they could only be published at a loss". Indeed, a month later and horrified at the actions of the Nazi regime, Woolf considered a complete abandonment "The more I think about the present situation in Germany, the more barbarous does the behaviour of the Government seem to me, and I feel that I do not want to have any personal or business relations with those who support or tolerate it." (in reference to Rilke's German publisher Insel-Verlag). Woolf clearly changed his mind (or was forced to by his contract) and publication continued.

The Spender letters (undated though probably 1937-38) cover the initial proposal of a collaboration ("I am extremely interested in the idea of collaborating with you to translate the Duineser Elegien and thank you for the suggestion. In fact I would like to do so very much.") as well as comments on translations of the first two elegies.