Watson Woodrow Ayres / Collection of Poetry Manuscripts by Prominent California

Description: Collection of Poetry Manuscripts by a Prominent California Farmer Author: Ayres, Watson Woodrow Title: Collection of Poetry Manuscripts by a Prominent California Farmer Publication: 1945-1947 Description: Ayres, Watson WoodrowCollection of Poetry Manuscripts by a Prominent California Farmer, 1945-1947About four inches of manuscript material, all about very good with some light edge wear and dust-soiling, proofs with some offsetting and once-adhered note now detached but present, and envelopes a bit worn.Watson Ayres was born in rural Vermont in 1868 and grew up tending to the family farm. Being the second son he didn't inherit the land, and he and his wife moved to California, settling in Live Oak on a three acre property in 1910. They grew their assets, obtaining eight acres that had originally been part of a rancho granted to Don Francisco Rodriguez in 1834. Ayres started with a large orchard and vegetable garden, selling to local buyers for shipment to San Francisco, then switched to bulbs (his obituary said he had the "largest calla-lily field in the world") and poultry, at one point maintaining 10,000 birds. He also wrote, printed and sold several volumes of his original poetry. Ayres served on the Live Oak School Board of Trustees, was active with the local Rodeo Civic Club and Grange fraternal organization, and was a widely respected citizen and renowned square dance caller. He died in 1961, and his farmhouse is included on the list of Live Oak Historic Resources.This collection contains:- Original typed manuscript of Ayres' book "Rhymes For The Times," 1945. 60 pp. with numerous handwritten changes and corrections. The poems are simple and rather sweet, with subjects ranging from "A Boy's Breakfast," "Mary's Dog" and a piece written from the point of view of a fence, to more serious topics including "Fidelity," "Inefficiency," and "Deliverance from Bondage." Ayres gave us his "'44 Election Views," "Christmas Verses," "War Thoughts," "Wedding Greetings" and a musing on "A Lonely Heart." - Original typed manuscript for "Random Verse," 1947. About 100 pp., with copious handwritten amendments, index of first lines, drawn devices for the final published version of the book and autograph notes. This book also is brimming with varied poems, including tributes to a "Wild Mountain Eagle," "Summer Days" and "The Dandelion," as well as "Musings of a Little Boy" and deeper thoughts on "Reconciliation" and "God's Secrets." There is also a fitting tribute to "Our Beautiful Home In The West."- Two additional copies, typed carbon manuscripts, of "Random Verse," also with copious handwritten changes and corrections. One with an envelope addressed to Fred Ayres, the author's brother.- Corrected page proofs of "Random Verse" with envelope from Sentinel Publishing Company, 1947. 136 pp. bound with green string. Includes a small handwritten note card regarding "a few items to be corrected," once taped to the cover page, now detached but present."Rhymes For The Times," published by Sentinel in 1945, appears in the holdings of two institutions (UC Berkeley and the Santa Cruz Public Library); we found no other evidence of Ayres' poetry online or in the trade. Nice manuscript collection from a regional California poet farmer. Seller ID: 1578 Subject: Manuscripts, Poetry Stellar Books & Ephemera is an on-line antiquarian dealer offering a wide variety of unique, unusual and rare artifacts of American History ranging from letters, manuscripts, archives and diaries to 19th century photography and 20th century letterpress. We specialize in the ephemeral and occasionally offer finer books which strike our fancy. If we stock it, you know it's unique. Terms All items are guaranteed to be as described or they may be returned within 30 days of receipt.This listing was created by Bibliopolis.

Price: 298 USD

Location: Moab, Utah

End Time: 2024-09-02T17:33:37.000Z

Shipping Cost: 8 USD