So pleased to find this under the tree this year. Rare as a hardback, Jim Wayne Miller’s third full length book is probably his most influential and ends with his famous “Brier Sermon” poem. Miller signed this book to Nancy Carol Joyner, a prominent Southern and Appalachian literary scholar. Former president of SAMLA, she also put together the influential “Bloodroot: Reflections on Place by Appalachian Women Writers.” Pleased to find this association copy, and always glad to add to the Miller collection. I’ve included his poem “Bird in the House” here, a truly fine work and perhaps his best stand alone poem.. . . . . . . #jimwaynemiller #birdinthehouse #themountainshavecomecloser #nancycaroljoyner #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/CmvL9zqMHK7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My wonderful wife gave me this as an anniversary gift last week! A wonderful association copy between Miller and Morgan, who at the time stood as two of the biggest names in Appalachian poetry. Morgan wrote the blurb on the back, and Miller sent this inscribed copy to him once it was published. He wrote “Robert, I appreciate your generous endorsement of these poems, Jim, 1988.” Since I collect both of their works, this is a gem in the collection for me. Glad to have it, and thank you to @captainsbookshelf for sending it my way. First softback edition, inscribed association copy, Very Good+ condition. . . . . #jimwaynemiller #robertmorgan #brierpoems #brierhisbook #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #signedbooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #tennessee #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #virginia #westvirginia #signedbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CBT25vDJZZG/?igshid=1hjultuko08op

I have finally completed my Jim Wayne Miller collection with some help from Porter House Books of Atlanta GA. The final missing chapbook is entitled “The Wisdom of Folk Metaphor; The Brier Conducts a Laboratory Experiment” published on the Seven Buffalos Press in Big Timber Montana in 1988. Here’s a brief list: Copperhead Cane, 1st Edition Inscribed. Copperhead Cane limited edition number 50/50. The Mountains Have Come Closer, inscribed first edition. Brier His Book inscribed first edition. Dialogue with a Dead Man inscribed first edition. Dialogue with a Dead Man inscribed reprint edition. Vein of Words first edition signed. Nostalgia for 70 inscribed first edition. Round and Round with Kahlil Gibran. The Figure of Fulfillment (translation of Emil Lerperger) inscribed first edition. Sideswipes first edition. The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same signed first edition. His First Best Country Gnomon Chapbook Series signed first edition. Just First Best Country Gnomon Chapbook Series limited signed first edition. The Wisdom of Folk Metaphor first edition. Newfound signed first edition. His First Best Country signed first edition. Next up, I guess I’ll hunt Robert Morgan. “The Voice in the Crosshairs” and a hardback copy of “Zirconia Poems” are next on my radar. Maybe George Scarborough first? . . . . . . . #jimwaynemiller #appalachianpoetry #gnomonpress #copperheadcane #themountainshavecomecloser #brierhisbook #thefigureoffulfillment #newfound #hisfirstbestcountry #dialoguewithadeadman #nostalgiafor70 #veinofwords #sideswipes #themorethingschangethemoretheystaythesame #roundandroundwithkahlilgibran #emillerperger #southernpoetry #westernkentuckyuniversity #kentucky #northcarolina #bookstagram #firsteditionbooks #bookcollecting #finebooks #rarebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/BzgxF-XnGrK/?igshid=2whubs1yq5so

I got to stop by a great little shop in Lexington, Ky over the weekend. Wendell Berry, James Still, Jesse Stuart, Kingsolver, horse racing, and more! I could have spent much longer looking through everything. I picked up a couple books that I’ll highlight in some following posts. Back to TN for me! . . . . . . #blackswanbooks #lexingtonky #ky #rarebooks #kentucky #finebooks #bookcollecting #bookcollection #boookcollector #bookstagram #shelfie #jamesstill #wendellberry #jimwaynemiller #bibliophile #modernfirsteditions #firstedition #bookporn (at Black Swan Books)

A while back I posted in celebration upon completing my collection of Jim Wayne Miller’s works. At the time, I believed I had a signed first of every book he published, and though I had heard of this book I was assured it never came to fruition. So when, to my surprise, @blackswanbooks listed one for sale I had to snatch it up. This is Miller’s final published work, a chapbook from White Fields Press out of Lexington, KY. It is signed and numbered 62/100. Glad to say I NOW have every one of his books signed! On to another author! . . . . . . #jimwaynemiller #briertraveling #heavenchapbookseries #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/CB9smPBpoAx/?igshid=3utj09e15a37

Read this poem; Chappell is a master wordsmith. Each time a line returns it still feels fresh. Ol’ Fred’s form nearly always goes over my head but I come away wanting to improve my own work. Does anyone know the name of this structure? Thank you to @alancornett for such an amazing gift, I can’t wait to hang it once I have enough wall space! Broadside on the Adela Press. Like New condition, numbered 67/100. . . . . . #fredchappell #jimwaynemiller #broadside #adelapress #kinglibrarypress #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #signedbooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #appalachianpoetry https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx_jGnBH1__/?igshid=vumw1mzw8nyw

Read this one; Chappell is a master. Somehow this poem doesn’t feel repetitive or forced, and each return to the repeated lines feels fresh. I have found it difficult to read through Ol’ Fred’s “Midquest,” but individual poems like this remind me of his power. His work often goes over my head formally, but he makes me want to improve my own work. Thank you to @alancornett for such an amazing gift. I’m going to hang it once I get the wall space! Broadside on the Adela Press. Like New condition, numbered 65/100. . . . . . . . . #fredchappell #adelapress #thelongpassingawayofthevisible #jimwaynemiller #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #signedbooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #tennessee #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #virginia #westvirginia #appalachianpoetry #broadsidepoems #broadside #ephemera #kinglibrarypress https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx_iPe0nird/?igshid=hsdwfsn4zc1f

This is a special piece. Jeff Daniel Marion and Jim Wayne Miller met in the early 70s and continued their close friendship until Miller’s death in 1996, and the two taught together in Virginia for a number of summers as well. Both are very influential poets in the region, and each of their work has influenced my own writing. This is Miller’s copy of ‘Vigils’ by Marion. Nearly every poem contains comments suggestive of a close reading by Miller. Hard to think of a more significant book to add to the shelf on these two. The inscription reads “For Jim - in appreciation of the years of friendship. Danny 9 June 1990” I’m blow away to own it. . . . . . . #jimwaynemiller #jeffdanielmarion #vigils #selectedpoems #rarebooks #firstedition #bookcollection #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bibliophile #bookporn #bookhunting #bookstagram #modernfirsts #modernfirsteditions #finebooks #signedbooks #shelfie #southernliterature #southernlit #tennessee #appalachianlit #appalachianliterature #kentucky #northcarolina #virginia #westvirginia #poetoftheholston #appalachianpoetry https://www.instagram.com/p/BvVMvnMg37t/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tgj38ijmbjav

Today is the first day of classes! This semester I'm taking 21st century British novel, Irish and Scottish lit, and a research methods class. Looking forward to it! To celebrate, here is a true first edition of Jim Wayne Miller's first book 'Copperhead Cane' in the soft cover as issued. Printed by Robert Moore Allen on a small press in Nashville, this marked the beginning of a long career in poetry. Overall Fine- condition. . . . . . #appalachia #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bookcollector #jimwaynemiller #copperheadcane #poetry #nashville #tennessee #appalachianlit #americanlit #rarebooks #firstedition #bookporn #bookstagram #shelfie #finebooks #bookclub #kentucky

Another great gift from my friend @bookedupinknoxville and this one inscribed by Dr. Miller himself. If you haven't read his poem 'Briar Sermon,' I highly suggest it. How can we be proud of our homeland? When did we forget that our homes were essential to our identity? He addresses the connection between land and family, placeness and origin, and the reasons for returning to your family's antiques when searching for personal meaning. Another excellent addition to the Appalachian collection. Fine in fine condition jacket, inscribed and dated. . . . . . #appalachia #signed #bookcollecting #bookcollection #bookcollector #jimwaynemiller #brierhisbook #brier #southern #southernlit #firstedition #appalachianstudies #kentucky #virginia #westvirginia #northcarolina #tennessee #poetry #bookporn #bookstagram #shelfie #rarebooks #booklover

My friend @alancornett sent me an amazing gift! This is a hand printed broadside of a poem written by Fred Chappell for Jim Wayne Miller. Miller, often seen as the father of Appalachian Studies, passed away the previous year. Chappell, a dean in the field of App Studies himself and fellow poet, penned this after Miller's death in 1996. It is difficult to consider how the field might look without these two individuals and their great work both academically and creativly, and to have this piece is truly special. Completely unblemished, signed by Chappell and numbered 66/100. The book community is so generous! . . . . . . . #fredchappell #chappell #jimwaynemiller #poetry #appalachia #appalachianlit #appalachianstudies #broadside #printmaking #rarebooks #signed #southern #southernlit #limitededition #firstedition #finebooks #book #bookcollection #bookcollector #bookporn #bookshelf #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #finebooks #shelfie #northcarolina #tennessee #kentucky

I got the chance to have brunch with @bookedupinknoxville last weekend. We discussed Appalachian literature and, little did I know, he has designed a few poetry booklets along the way, and even did the cover art for this piece. He graciously gave this and a few other things to me and I am thrilled to have such interesting items in the collection. This contains several poems, but this one stuck out to me. To the beginning of a growing Appalachian lit collection! Fine condition. . . . . . . #poetry #appalachia #appalachianlit #jamesstill #jimwaynemiller #fredchappell #southern #southernlit #northcarolina #westvirginia #kentucky #tennessee #bibliophile #bookcollection #bookcollector #book #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #rarebooks #firstprinting #privatepress #finebooks #shelfie #bookporn #bookphotography

I have been struck by the simple power of Jim Wayne Miller's poetry. Another great read for one of my classes, his seemingly simple lines so often cover over a depth of questions. One question that he seems to ask is this: when is someone a native or local to the land? How many (or few) generations does someone have to live in a place before they become a part of the landscape, and are integral to the location's identity? I enjoyed him enough to hunt some more of his writing. Here is a first edition, first printing of his novella 'His First, Best Country,' unopened, singed and dated. I haven't read this so far, but looking forward to summer reading soon. Fine/Fine condition. . . . . #jimwaynemiller #hisfirstbestcountry #signed #firstedition #firstprinting #modernfirsts #bookstagram #bookcover #bookporn #bookstagram #rarebooks #shelfie #appalachianlit #americanlit #northcarolina #nc #southernlit #southern #bookcollector #bookcollection #bibliophile