1946 First Edition Of Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony From the New World (Op. 95)

by Antonin Dvorak

€77 · Offered by eBay

First edition

This is an original 1946 first edition copy of Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony From the New World (Op. 95), featuring a solo piano arrangement by Paul Juon, published by Collins in London, and printed by Jarrold and Sons Ltd., Norwich. It features 10 vivid, full-page impressionistic watercolor plates painted by the renowned illustrator Bruno Frost. What makes this specific post-war edition exceptionally beautiful is the inscription written at Drake Hall on August 12th, 1947, from a man named Eric to his wife on their first wedding anniversary. He uses the theme of the symphony to write a deeply moving, romantic message: "To my wife — On our First Anniversary. At this moment we are entering upon the second year of our own New World. Our first impressions have been of joy, thankfulness, and visions of the long struggle ahead. Let us make this our Anthem song, of our New World and when it is played let us remember the glorious things that can come of our happy marriage — let it symbolize to us our growing pains and our final triumph and perhaps our years will all be as this one — Perfection. Thank you for your wonderfulness, dearest! Eric." During the Second World War, Drake Hall (located in Staffordshire) was constructed as a massive ammunition workers' hostel. However, right after the war ended, the British government converted the site into an official training college for male teachers, specifically set up to quickly educate demobilized soldiers returning home from combat so they

• Publisher: Collins
• Year: 1946
• Condition: Fair

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.