Sheep's Clothing
Pittsburg, Kansas: College Inn Book Store, 1929. CHADSEY, William L. (Jacket Design). 1st Edition. HARDCOVER. Small octavo hardcover in blue cloth boards; 68 pp. Signed and inscribed by author Margaret E. Haughawout on FFEP: "For a willowy dark eyed girl who is poetry—more than this is." Minor wear and fading to spine and front board; sharp corners. Clean throughout. Toning to pastedowns; signatures weakening; light printer's manufacturing error to page 35; acid toned on 54 and 55. Very Good. DJ: Red decorated jacket in Mylar. Tape reinforced edges and spine; one 4 inch closed tear to spine. Fair. Very Good / Fair DJ. Item #165554
A scarce collection of poems by Margaret E. Haughawout, Associate Professor of English at the Kansas State Teachers College, Pittsburg (1923–1934, 1945–1951). Described as "Probably the only overtly GAY poetry published in Kansas or for that matter in the Midwest in the 1920s." The book contains the poem "Femina ad Infinitum," which includes the line "I've tried too gay". Haughawout was an outspoken individualist. In 1930, she notably bought a man's suit, tie, and all, which she wore to classes, parties, and other functions. This public display of defiance of gendered dress codes was highly provocative and unconventional for a college professor in the Midwest at that time. She was the center of Pittsburg's creative writing community and mentor to the "Monday Nighters," a group of students who met regularly with her in her home for the purpose of reading their manuscripts. A laid in news clipping notes: "'Unmasked' is the repugnance of the woman at the despair of the man fixed by abhorrent shackles. The secret of the woman who toils while her soul soars and her heart sings is revealed in 'Daily Wear.'".
Price: $4,500.00