Sylvia Plath - Ariel - 1965

Scarce first edition in dust wrapper.

A good + copy of this first edition in a Good + wrapper.
Wrapper (now in mylar protection sleeve) has a little nicking to the head and tail of the spine. 3 cm closed tear to the top of the rear panel, and with creasing to the edge of this. A little marking to the rear panel, and darkening to the spine. Still an attractive copy.
Boards are in clean condition, with a touch of bumping to the bottom edge. Slight fading to the bottom edge, particularly to the rear board. See pictures for wrapper and book. Internally very nice, fractionally darkened pages.
To the inside board is an owner’s signature for David S. Miall. dated April 17th. 1965. Then aged 18, he later became professor of English at the University of Alberta. 86 pages. 220 by 140mm (8¾ by 5½ inches).

Sylvia Plath's "Ariel" is both a celebrated poetry collection and the title poem within it, marking a dramatic shift in Plath's style and literary reputation. Published posthumously in 1965, "Ariel" established Plath as a major figure in modern poetry, noted for its intense imagery, psychological exploration, and raw emotional power.​ "Ariel" contains some of Plath's most iconic works, including "Lady Lazarus" and "Daddy," alongside the title poem, all of which exemplify her confessional style and fearless engagement with themes such as mental illness, death, female identity, and creative transformation. The poems were written during a period of personal upheaval, following the dissolution of her marriage to Ted Hughes and leading up to her untimely death.