'If' was written in 1895 as a tribute to Dr Leander Starr Jameson, a British Officer whose forces were defeated by the Boers in 1895, but who was portrayed as a victorious hero by the British press. The poem first appeared in the book 'Rewards and Fairies' (October 1910), and this separate publication, (this version being privately published for, and inscribed by Lieutenant-General Sir George Fowke, K.C.B., K.C.M.G.(1864-1936), possibly as a Christmas gift for friends in 1915) was published to capitalise on the huge, and instant, popularity of what has become Kipling's most enduring work. On the verso of the cover is the following facsimile inscription of Fowke's handwriting in blue: "Best Wishes/ from/ ?Mr George Fowke/ and/ friends at home/ for/ 1915. Penhurst*,/ Kent." Fowke was a British Army general, who, at the outbreak of WW1 was appointed to the post of Brigadier-General Royal Engineers in the BEF, and later Chief Engineer and then Engineer-in-Chief in 1915, in which position he would play a significant role in the organisation of trench warfare. His wide experience was of great value in the positional warfare which ensued after the first Battle of Ypres. In February 1916 he was promoted to the post of Adjutant-General of the Expeditionary Force which he held until the end of the war. A rare and fascinating association copy in VG++ condition. The only copy we have ever seen. No other copies traceable.
*It's likely that Fowke and Kipling were acquainted as Kipling lived at Batemans in Burwash less than 7 miles from Penhurst where Fowke was based.
