Litany and Anthew for S. Matthew's Day; Written for the Church of S. Matthew, Northampton, for the Dedication and Patronal Festival, 21 September 1946
n.p. Church of S. Matthew, (1946). Single sheet of stiff card (8 by 16 inches), folded twice to six pages, printed in red-and-black. Early ink inscription to front panel, faint foxing to fore-edge, gentle toning and slight soiling. A near-fine copy. Item #1834
"LET THE WHOLE CREATION GIVE OUT ANOTHER SWEETNESS, / NICER IN OUR NOSTRILS, A NOVEL FRAGRANCE / FROM CLEANSED OCCASIONS IN ACCORD TOGETHER"
Limited edition of W.H. Auden's Litany and Anthem for S. Matthew's Day—said to be one of only 500 copies printed on a single sheet of stiff card, folded to make six pages, with titles and an illustrated device printed in red. Scarce.
A series of petitions written by Auden for the Feast of Saint Matthew (September 21st), the Litany ("let us pray especially") consists of five passages, each with a refrain: "We beseech thee to hear us, Good Lord." The Litany occupies the three interior panels, while The Anthem, in two parts, "Praise Ye the Lord / Bless Ye The Lord," occupies two of the three outer panels. Composed for the dedication and patronal festival at the Church of S. Matthew, Northampton. S. Matthew's was a center for the arts under the patronage of the Rev. Walter Hussey, Vicar of S. Matthew's (1937-1955). Hussey's 1985 obituary described his "habit of writing out of the blue to famous artists, musicians and poets to ask them to do something for his church." Later, during his 22 years at Chichester Cathedral, "Dean Hussey himself built up a splendid art collection." Bloomfield and Mendelson, A28.
Price: $150.00