Two pages of electrostencilled publicity mailing. The first page being an introduction (almost certainly written by Eliot) and the second page containing the poem, "Cat Morgan Introduces Himself", both in near fine condition.

The extremely rare first appearance of Cat Morgan Introduces Himself, which was incorporated into "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" as the final poem from the 1953 (11th impression) edition onwards.
The two page flyer was issued with Faber's Autumn and Winter Catalogue for 1951. The introductory page states,
"The front cover of Faber & Faber's new Autumn and Winter catalogue bears an attractive drawing by Margaret Wolpe of the portico of 24, Russell Square... On the back cover you will find a [picture of a black cat] approaching.
He is advancing to take up his favourite seat, cuddled up against and protected by the door-scraper. Morgan, for that is his name, is the Faber & Faber cat.... We were astonished to find the biographical note written in verse, but perhaps this is not surprising if one considers the literary atmosphere in which he has passed so much of his life..."
The following poem carries the footnote to the effect that it may be reproduced without permission, and was according to Gallup "widely reprinted in various newspapers". It was issued under Eliot's name in the Animal's Magazine, and subsequently as a broadside by Donald Gallup entitled "Cat Morgan's Apology" in 1953, in an edition of 30 copies. Not listed in Gallup though referred to E2g (Gallup's 1953 Broadsheet). Copies of the poem are present in the British Library and as part of the Hayward bequest in King's College, Cambridge, though both seem to lack the introductory page.

Stock ID: 24990