Looking forward to the George Scarbrough symposium at @reinhardt_university this weekend, as they prepare to open their new archives dedicated to the poet. Hopefully we’ll get to do a bit of trout fishing afterwards too. The lineup of speakers is strong and I am glad to see his work receiving some overdue academic attention. This is something I picked up a while back, the first copy of the Tennessee Poetry Journal. The lineup of writers is pretty impressive, including Ted Wright, Thomas Merton, William Stafford, Julia Randall, George Scarbrough, Frank Steele, Robert Bly, and David Ignatow. Published in the fall of 1967, I’d say it is quite a lineup for a first issue. Poem is “Trompe L’oeil” by Scarbrough. . . . #georgescarbrough #williamstafford #davidignatow #franksteele #juliarandall #thomasmerton #tedwright #robertbly #tennesseepoetryjournal #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #tennessee #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #virginia #appalachianpoetry (at Reinhardt University) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfJjEXJuR2V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Pleased to find an inscribed copy of George Scarbrough’s second book “The Course is Upwards.” Rare to find at all, and when I opened this copy it came with a review slip tucked into the first page. A nice surprise from George Brosi of Appalachian Mountain Books. Scarbrough’s family worked as tenet farmers and workednumerous farms across Polk and Meigs counties, and much of his writings draws at least in part from those experiences and places. Fine/Very Good jacket, with review slip,inscribed: “Play on whatever harp is available. HL David. George.” Poem: “For a Brother Man Leaving Home.” #georgescarbrough #thecourseisupward #forayoungbrotherleavinghome #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #signedbooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #tennessee #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #virginia #westvirginia #appalachianpoetry https://www.instagram.com/p/CdCTNcYsesA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Another book of poems by Ron Rash! Like the name suggests, this one is much more focused on religious themes and histories in the region. It would be difficult to discuss East Tennessee without mentioning the influence of religious thought, both pre and post settlement. It is also interesting that the book is dedicated to George Scarbrough, a largely unknown but powerful poet; I’ve posted some of his books before too. Glad to have it, and inscribed to me, Fine, inscribed, first printing. . . . . . #ronrash #amongthebelievers #georgescarbrough #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #signedbooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #tennessee #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #virginia #westvirginia https://www.instagram.com/p/B4pTsQtpsqb/?igshid=1th689wm3aqdv

This is a gift for a friend who isn’t on Instagram. Be sure not to tell him. This is a true first edition of George Scarbrough’s first book ‘Tellico Blue.’ First published in 1949, his first book has been largely overlooked and exhibits the power of great and gentle writing. He grew up on the edges of the southern mountains and so tends to be lumped with more traditional deep South writers, but I think he can be seen as a mountain writer as well. I really like him. One of these poems is something of an homage to Jesse Stuart’s poetry, and reads with the restrained thankfulness found in many of his contemporaries. Check him out if you have time. Very Good jacket on a Fine book. . . . . . . #scarbrough #georgescarbrough #tellico #tellicoblue #southernpoetry #appalachianpoetry #modernfirsteditions #rarebooks #firstedition #firsteditions #bookstagram #antiquarianbooks #poetry #southern #tennessee #tn https://www.instagram.com/p/BscKJDKAhh5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10da2no462u2d

Pleased to add another George Scarbrough book to the collection. “Invitation to Kim” was a finalist for the 1990 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. The East Tennessee native produced three books between 1949-1956, which each contain some of the finest southern poetry I’ve read. “Invitation to Kim” is part of his later work and was published in 1989. I have posted his poem “Postcard Woodcut” here for a sampling of his work. Thank you to @thebookeddy for this copy, signed and inscribed in Fine condition. A rare hardback copy. #georgescarbrough #invitationtokim #pulitzerprize #irispress #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #signedbooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #tennessee #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #virginia #westvirginia #appalachianpoetry https://www.instagram.com/p/CP9OU7FsEzw/?utm_medium=tumblr