Sonnets of a Philosophuncule [Paperback]

Softcover. Fair. 1958 softcover book of verse, issued in a limited edition 450 copies by the Ficetum Press. Our copy is number 169 and is signed by the author with his initials, which are also stamped in blind to the limitation page. Prior owner's name written onto upper corner of title page. Purple stamp to front cover: Not Wanted O.S.U., so assuming this was rejected by or withdrawn from the Ohio State University library. Covers are age-toned, have some rubbing to front and offsetting to rear. One poem has title underlined and a star inked next to it. The author is fairly obscure. The Fresno Bee in 1945 reported that ""Jacob Hugo Weinschenk, a German refugee employed in a winery [in Madera, California] is the author of a volume of English sonnets just published."" That collection was not the same as this book we are offering. According to his grandson, ""He emigrated to the United States in 1935 after working as a ""Weinhaendler"" and writing poetry in his hometown of Mainz. He lived for a short time in New York City, but unable to find work took his family to Madera, California, where he worked on a vineyard and farm for many years. He spent his last years in Fresno, California, writing epigrams, poems and playing the cello. He died in his 90s in Fresno."" A young poet in Lakewood, Ohio obviously appreciated Jacob's sonnets, for she saved this little book all her life. We discovered it in her estate only recently.