LAWRENCE, D.H. Reflections on the Death of a Porcupine. Philadelphia: The Centaur Press, 1925.
8vo. Beige cloth-backed marbled boards, spine lettered in black; top edge blue, others untrimmed; pp. [x], 240, [6]; with the British and Irish agents tag tipped-in to title; housed in the original black slipcase with title tipped on to spine; very minor toning to backstrip; minimal internal foxing, concentrated at endpapers; extremities of slipcase lightly rubbed, a near fine copy together with the slipcase.
Limited edition of 475 copies for sale in England, of which this is no. 17. This fine publication from The Centaur Press, is a collection of Lawrence's essays which cover diverse subjects including literary criticism, travel writing, and personal reflections on Lawrence's own experiences and thoughts on art, literature, psychology, and society. The titular essay, Reflections on the Death of a Porcupine sees Lawrence reflect on the symbolism and significance of his chance encounter with a dead porcupine whilst walking in the mountains of New Mexico. He uses this as a base from which to explore the human condition and musings on life and death. This collection offers a real insight into Lawrence's versatility as a writer, encapsulating his talent for articulating profound and nuanced insights on a wide range of subjects.
The Centaur Press, founded by Harold Trump Mason (1893-1983), emerged as a beacon of literary and artistic craftmanship in Philadelphia's cultural landscape. Being first The Centaur Bookshop, the space became an important meeting place for the city's intellectual elite. Harold Trump Mason used the popularity of the Bookshop as a platform for celebrating the written word, and in 1924, created The Centaur Press, a venture dedicated to producing quality limited edition fine press volumes. The Press's inaugral publication, Walt Whitman's Song of the BroadAxe, set a precedent for the craftmanship and artistic excellence that defines the Press's legacy.
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