Wintering Out. London: Faber & Faber, 1972. First Edition. Pp, 80. Publisher’s blue, grey, black and white stiff wrappers. Light shelf-wear to wrappers, paperclip marks to top margin of half-title & residual of gum to verso, contents in fine bright condition.

Heaney’s third collection and a pivotal work in his poetical development. This wrappers edition preceded the hardback edition.

Having spent a year as guest lecturer at Berkeley, California, this collection reflects a broadening of the author’s landscapes, at a time of the deteriorating political situation in Northern Ireland, and coinciding with his move of residence from Ulster to the Irish Republic.