Robert M. Pollet Poems 1984 First Edition Signed Provenance Letter
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
Title: Poems
Author: Robert M. Pollet
Publisher: The Greville Press, Warwick
Date: 1984
Printer: Skelton's Press, Wellingborough, Northants
 
This appears to be the true first edition, published in 1984.
 
The limitation statement confirms:
“Printed in an edition of 200 copies of which 100 were hardback and signed by the author.”
 
Interestingly, the limitation page has not been hand numbered. Given the personal inscription and accompanying provenance material, this may represent an unnumbered presentation copy distributed directly by the author.
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
This scarce poetry collection carries exceptional literary and memorial interest due to its direct association with the premature death of the author shortly after publication.
The work was issued in an extremely small limitation of only 200 copies, with just 100 hardback signed copies produced. Surviving examples are uncommon, particularly those retaining original associated correspondence and ephemera.
 
Inserted within this copy is an original handwritten memorial letter from the author’s father together with a moving tribute written by American academic Eric Sellin of Temple University, Philadelphia, following Robert Pollet’s death in France in 1985 at the age of 39.
 
The combination of:
signed limitation 
presentation inscription 
family memorial correspondence 
manuscript corrections 
literary association 
gives this copy significant archival and provenance value beyond an ordinary modern poetry volume.
 
About the Author
Robert M. Pollet was a British poet associated with Aylsham, Norfolk.
 
Research indicates he was born in Woolwich, Kent, in 1945 and died in Vosges, France, in August 1985, only a year after the publication of this collection.
 
He was the son of Maurice Pollet, the distinguished French literary scholar and translator best known for his studies of the Tudor poet John Skelton.
 
Provenance & Association
This copy is warmly inscribed by the author in ink:
“Canon & Mrs Vyse, best wishes from Robert”
 
Research strongly suggests this refers to Canon Jack Vyse of Aylsham, Norfolk, associated with St Michael’s Church, specifically referenced within the inserted memorial letter.
 
The book also retains an original handwritten letter dated 17th November 1985 from Maurice Pollet to “Jim,” enclosing an American memorial tribute to his late son.
The accompanying tribute by Eric Sellin reflects on Robert Pollet’s poetry and untimely death.
 
This provenance gives the volume unusually intimate literary and archival significance.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
Dark cloth binding with gilt lettering to the front board and spine.
 
The binding remains robust and attractive with light age-related wear including:
several light marks 
light rubbing to edges 
 
Overall, the book presents very well.
 
Interior Condition
Green pastedowns and endpapers.
 
The pages are bright, clean, and tightly bound throughout. There are no tears and all 36 pages are present.
 
Several interesting manuscript corrections appear within the text, including:
correction of “POERM” to “POEM” on the contents page 
correction of “Bel” to “Bell” on page 24 
These may represent authorial or production-era corrections.
 
The inserted memorial letter and tribute remain well preserved.
 
Physical Details
Pages: 36
Dimensions: Approximately 22.2 cm x 12.2 cm x 1 cm
Weight: Approximately 180 g
 
Rarity & Collector Notes
This work should properly be regarded as rare.
 
The limitation statement confirms that only:
200 copies were printed 
100 signed hardback copies were issued 
 
Copies rarely appear on the open market, particularly examples retaining:
original memorial correspondence 
presentation inscription 
literary provenance 
associated ephemera 
 
The combination of signed limitation, family memorial material, and association with Maurice Pollet substantially enhances desirability and research interest.
 
Comparable copies are seldom encountered outside specialist poetry or private press collections.
 
Provenance
This copy carries exceptional literary provenance including:
inscription from Robert Pollet 
association with Canon Jack Vyse of Aylsham 
original handwritten memorial letter from Maurice Pollet 
tribute by Eric Sellin of Temple University 
possible presentation-copy status 
manuscript corrections likely linked to production or authorial revision 
The survival of this material significantly strengthens the archival and historical importance of the volume.