Songs of Nothing Certain: University of Georgia Verse 1920 - 1928 Edited by Charles Roberts Anderson and Edwin Mallard Everett (HARDBACK)

Songs of Nothing Certain is a rare book of verse published in 1928 by The Keelin Press in Atlanta, Georgia through the financial support of the Phi Kappa Literary Society and the Demosthenian Literary Society. This book was edited by Charles Roberts Anderson and Edwin Mallard Everett. The poets in this collection were students at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia during 1920 - 1928.

Two of the poets are of particular interest because they are future children's book author, Wylly Folk St. John, and her future husband, Thomas St. John. Wylly Folk St. John (1908 - 1985) was an award-winning Georgia author of children's mystery fiction. After graduating from the University of Georgia's School of Journalism in 1930, she began writing novels, and short stories while working as a staff writer for the Atlanta Journal Magazine. She is best know for her eight mystery novels for young readers, but also produced many adult short stories published as back-of-the-book novels in magazines such as Redbook.

Wylly Folk St. John grew up in Savannah, Georgia, but moved to Social Circle, Georgia at some point. She was an active member of many citizen and community councils there. St. John received many writing awards including Georgia Author of the Year. Her papers are in the Special Collections at the University of Georgia Hargrett Library.

This book includes the following poems by Wylly Folk (St. John): "To A Procrastinator," "There Have Been Stars," "It Is As Well That I Am Lame," "Force, Sonnet On The Head Of An Unknown Italian Princess Executed In Marble, Dreams Are Made Of--," "Love's Potpourri," "The Contrast," and "Harlequin's Loss."

Another interesting thing about this rare 1920s book is the inscription on the ffep: "For Mary Holt Park from E. M. E., with a diversity of feelings." So, this book originally belonged to Mary Holt Park, daughter of Robert Emory Park, who served as the UGA English Department Head from 1900 - 1942, and was the namesake for Park Hall, home of the UGA English Department. In the inscription to Mary, E. M. E. are the initials of her future husband, Edwin Mallard Everett, one of the editors of this book.  Mary Holt Park (1907 - 1964) is buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens, Georgia.

This book is a hardback (no dust jacket as issued) in acceptable to good condition with age darkening of pages and wear, spotting, fading on the boards.