HEANEY, Seamus. The Riverbank Field. Paintings and drawings by Martin Gale (Signed limited edition)

Edition limited to five hundred signed and numbered copies, of which four hundred and fifty went on sale. Oldcastle: The Gallery Press, 2007. First edition. pp. [27]. Green cloth, title blind-stamped on upper cover. Signed by Seamus Heaney. A fine copy in dust jacket.

Seamus Heaney’s The Riverbank Field is a finely produced signed limited edition that unites the Nobel Prize–winning poet with acclaimed Irish artist Martin Gale. Published in 2007 by the Gallery Press, this exquisite volume presents Heaney’s elegant translation of a section from Virgil’s Aeneid, capturing the mythic and lyrical beauty of the underworld’s meadow of spirits, known as the “Riverbank Field.” Heaney’s verse is paired with Gale’s atmospheric paintings and drawings, creating a powerful dialogue between poetry and visual art.

As a signed limited edition, The Riverbank Field holds special significance for collectors of rare Seamus Heaney books. The combination of fine printing, artistic collaboration, and Heaney’s autograph ensures that copies are highly prized in the rare book market. Produced in small numbers, this edition embodies the qualities of a true collectable: scarcity, beauty, and literary importance.

For admirers of Irish poetry, The Riverbank Field demonstrates Heaney’s mastery of classical translation while showcasing the evocative talent of Martin Gale. At De Búrca Rare Books, signed limited editions such as this are considered essential acquisitions for serious collectors, offering both cultural and investment value. This volume is a jewel in the canon of modern Irish literature.

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