ROBERT PENN WARREN (b.1905)

One of seven copies, signed by the author, of a recent work by the poet who has recently been named America's first poet laureate. Warren, who was born in Kentucky and studied with John Crowe Ransom, joined the Fugitive Movement with Allen Tate and others. Their concern to preserve the agrarian ideals of a proud and individualistic people is inherent in Warren's portrayal of the Nez Perce chief.

According to a "Note" prefaced to the work, the tribe, who received Lewis and Clark "in great friendship" and provided them with supplies, were not warlike and never harmed a white man "until forced." The Federal government had treaties guaranteeing the sacred homeland of the Nez Perce, but Chief Joseph died in 1904, "a prisoner on a reservation in the state of Washington The reservation physician reported the death as caused by a broken heart." Warren used journal cuttings, newspaper clippings, military reports, treaty excerpts and powerful, often incantatory verse in the poem, a trade edition of which appeared in 1983.