The Tower. London: Macmillan, 1928. First Edition, Second Issue. Pp vi, 110. Olive green cloth with binding design in gilt by Sturge Moore, depicting ‘The Tower’ of Ballylee, Co. Galway. Light shelf-wear to boards, neat ownership inscription to front free endpaper, otherwise a nice bright copy.

In 1928–the year he turned 63–the then-world-famous poet William Butler Yeats published a slim, beautifully-produced volume called The Tower. Yeats had received the Nobel Prize in 1923, and the book was awaited with considerable anticipation. The Tower contained some of what were to be the poet’s most famous, most explicated poems. Yeats himself was very pleased with its reception. He wrote his friend Lady Gregory that “Tower is receiving great favour.”

Thomas Sturge Moore (1870 1944) was an English author, poet and wood engraver especially noted for his bookplate designs. He designed several bindings for Yeats, however this is by far his most notable one. The beautiful image on the upper cover shows Thoor Ballylee reflected in the still water below it. The image suggests both Yeats’ poetic self-reflection--the meditative quality of his verse.

The second impression was published in March 1928.