STARS; [among the rarest Jeffers first editions]

Pasadena: The Flame Press, 1930. First edition. RARE. Although the colophon states 80 copies, this is ONE OF ONLY APPROXIMATELY 15 COPIES bound by Ward Ritchie before the remaining sheets were destroyed due to spelling errors [Broomfield A11a] Original black paper-covered flexible boards with star-motif white label printed in black on front; 8 pages (unnumbered save the "II" at head of second page of poem); errata slip correcting one spelling error tipped in at rear, as called for. THIS COPY WITH extra uncut cover label and errata slip printed together on single 5 x 4" sheet of P_Miliani Fabriano watermark paper laid in. PROVENANCE: typed letter signed by Burton Weiss to Allen Mears on printed letterhead of Serendipity Books along with photocopy of 2-page letter from Ward Ritchie to bookseller Thomas Goldwasser, who was then employed by Serendipity Books (with penciled note from Weiss to Mears at top). Near fine with light rubbing to edges which, as Ritchie noted in his letter to Goldwasser, most likely occurred during the binding process. TOGETHER WITH the scare second edition printed by Ritchie to correct the spelling errors made in the first edition [Broomfield A11b]. Number 87 of 110 numbered copies bound in small 8vo string-tied, light-blue paperwraps. Fine with only a touch of mild creasing to paper covers.