Robert Frost. Reversal / The Objection to Being Stepped On, Lake Forest, IL, Oct 18, 1957.
Dates
- Creation: Oct 18, 1957.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Registration with the collection is required. Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only. Materials will be retrieved from and returned to storage areas by staff members.
Extent
From the Collection: 109 Volumes
Language of Materials
English
Materials Specific Details
Original manuscript version of poem, with early title, in three represetations. One entirely in author's holograph on ruled notebook paper, and two typed on letter size white paper. The holograph copy includes the line "Dedicated to Thoe Only / Who Know How to Sympathize with Me" across the top of page, and "To My Sympathizers" on the first ruled line of the page. Below the poem, Frost has signed his name with the following inscription: "For Florie and Harold Corbin / At L.F.A where it was first read aloud" all in fountain pen ink. "L.F>A." referes to Lake Forest Academi, where Frost visited Headmaster Corbin on two separate occasions (1957 and 1961). Of particular importance to note is the poem's early title "Reversal" with the sub-title "The Objection To Being Stepped On", whic was later published with only the origian sub-title as the poem's full title. The two typed versions are also signed in full by Frost, with inscription references to "L.F.A. where the poem was first read in public Oct 18, 1957" in Frost's hand. The poem later appeared in print as Frost's Christmas greeting in winter of 1957, with the title "My Objection To Being Stepped On", and finally when it first appeared in book form in his collection IN THE CLEARING (Holt, 1962) under the title "The Objection to Being Stepped On" with minor variations of punctuation. The holograph copy is matted and framed separately, while the two typed copies are matted together, using archival quality materials. The present offering represents the historical first presentation of one of Frost's most famous later poems. All three pieces are in fine condition.
Topical
Repository Details
Part of the Nicholson Library Special Collections Repository