Rudyard Kipling's If
The Stewart number after the descriptions denotes the entry number in the Kipling bibliography compiled by James McGregor Stewart entitled, Rudyard Kipling: A bibliographical catalogue.
Typescript/ Autographed by Rudyard KiplingKipling, Rudyard. If. Typescript. Addressed in Kipling’s hand to Mr. G.B. Harris in upper left corner and signed “Rudyard Kipling” in lower left corner. n.d. 1 page laid paper; 26.5 x 18.5 cm. The poem “If” had a special resonance for industry executives. Kipling poems were even found on the walls of corporate leaders in Atlantic Canada. For special friends and acquaintances, Kipling would occasionally inscribe and/or autograph private copies of his works. This undated copy was inscribed to and signed for George B. Harris, President of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Back to Edition First Periodical PublicationKipling, Rudyard. “If.” American Magazine Vol. LXX, no. 6 (October, 1910): 715-716. "If" was first introduced to the public in October 1910 with the nearly simultaneous publication of the poem in Kipling’s volume of short stories and poetry, Rewards and Fairies, and in the, American Magazine (New York). Established in 1906 by former staff members of McClure’s Magazine, the American Magazine was noted for publishing quality fiction, poetry, and human interest stories. (Stewart #329) Back to Edition Book Publication (First Canadian Edition)Kipling, Rudyard. Rewards and Fairies. Toronto: The Macmillan Company of Canada Ltd., 1910. The poem "If" was composed to serve as a companion poem to the story, “Brother Square-toes” in Rewards and Fairies, a collection of historical short stories for children. A sequel to Puck of Pook’s Hill (London, 1906), Rewards and Fairies, was first published in London by Macmillan and Co. in October, 1910. The Canadian division of Macmillan in Toronto added “Canadian Edition” to the top of the half-title page and issued a red cloth bound edition in late 1910. (Stewart #329) Back to Edition Separate American editions of "If"To meet the almost instantaneously public demand for copies of the poem If, Kipling’s American publisher, Doubleday Page and Company of New York in November 1910 published a number of separate printings of the poem in book form. Different binding materials, ink colours, and slight variations in wording within the text occurred as the small oblong volume went through rapid printings. To further capitalize on the poem’s popularity, Doubleday Page and Company also printed broadsides of the poem. The paper quality and colour, border designs, and copyright statements were altered slightly between printings. 1910 - Book Kipling, Rudyard. IF. Garden City, New York: Doubleday Page and Company, 1910. 8 double leaves uncut at top; in full green leather binding with title in green on gold background and with other lettering and line border in gold; 11.5 x 16.5 cm. Each page outlined by a decorative border printed in dark green ink; decorative title and initial letters of each stanza also printed in dark green ink. Note on recto of third double leaf printed in italic and reads as follows: These verses are taken from Mr. Kipling’s book, entitled Rewards and Fairies, containing more Puck of Pook’s Hill stories, among them the interesting American tale about Philadelphia and also many poems. (Stewart #342) Back to Edition 1910 - Book Kipling, Rudyard. IF. Garden City, New York: Doubleday Page and Company, 1910. 8 double leaves uncut at top; red buckram cover with title in red on gold background and with other lettering and decorative border in gold; 11.5 x 16.5 cm. Each page outlined by a decorative border printed in dark green ink; decorative title and initial letters of each stanza also printed in dark green ink. Note on recto of third double leaf printed in italic and reads as follows: These verses are taken from Mr. Kipling’s book, entitled Rewards and Fairies, containing more Puck of Pook’s Hill stories, among them the interesting American tale about Philadelphia and also many poems. (Stewart #342) Back to Edition 1910 - Book Kipling, Rudyard. IF. Garden City, New York: Doubleday Page and Company, 1910. 8 double leaves uncut at top edge; brown board covers with title in red on black background ; decorative red border on front cover; additional lettering on cover in black ink; 11.5 x 16.5 cm. Each page outlined in decorative border printed in dark red ink; decorative full title and initial letters of each stanza also printed in dark red ink. Note on recto of third double page printed in italic and reads as follows: These verses are taken from Mr. Kipling’s book, entitled Rewards and Fairies, containing the Puck of Pook’s Hill stories. (Stewart #342) Back to Edition 1910 - Book Kipling, Rudyard. IF. Garden City, New York: Doubleday Page and Company, 1910. 8 double leaves uncut at top edge; brown board covers with title in red on black background; decorative red border on front cover; additional lettering on cover in black ink; 11.5 x 16.5 cm. Each page outlined in decorative border printed in dark red ink; decorative full title and initial letters of each stanza also printed in dark red ink. Note on recto of third double page printed in italic and reads as follows: These verses are taken from Mr. Kipling’s book entitled Rewards and Fairies, containing more Puck of Pook’s Hill stories, among them the new American story about Philadelphia, and much new verse. (Stewart #342) Back to Edition 1910 - Book Kipling, Rudyard. IF. Garden City, New York: Doubleday Page and Company, 1910. 8 double leaves uncut at top; in full green leather binding with title in green on gold background and with other lettering and decorative border in gold; 11.5 x 16.5 cm. Each page outlined by a decorative border printed in dark red ink; decorative title and initial letters of each stanza also printed in dark red ink. Note on recto of third double leaf printed in italic and reads as follows: These verses are taken from Mr. Kipling’s book, entitled Rewards and Fairies, containing more Puck of Pook’s Hill stories, among them the new American story about Philadelphia, and much new verse. (Stewart #342) Back to Edition 1910 - Broadside Kipling, Rudyard. IF. New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1910. Broadside; 28 x 18 cm.; cream coloured heavy paper Text of poem printed in black ink; all text within double rule border printed in dark green ink. Swastika motif positioned in four corners of border frame; border rules and motif printed in dark green ink. Copyright and publisher statement located in lower left corner and in the right corner the statement, “From Rewards and Fairies”. (Stewart #347) Back to Edition 1910 - Broadside Kipling, Rudyard. IF. New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1910. Broadside; 28 x 18 cm.; light green heavy paper Text of poem printed in black ink; all text within double rule border printed in olive green ink. Swastika motif positioned in four corner of border frame; border rules and motif printed in olive green ink. Copyright and publisher statement located in lower left corner and in the right corner the statement, “ From Rewards and Fairies”. (Stewart #347) Back to Edition 1910 - Broadside Kipling. Rudyard. IF. n.p., 1910. Broadside; 28 x 20.5 cm.; medium grey heavy paper Text of poem printed in black ink; decorative title printed in upper case and on a floral design printed in green and gold and all encircled by an olive green single rule. Copyright statement and date in bottom left corner and in the right corner the statement, “From Rewards and Fairies”. All text within a decorative floral motif printed in green on a gold background and framed by two rules in green ink. (Stewart #348) Back to Edition Undated - Pamphlet Kipling, Rudyard. IF. New York: E.P. Dutton & Company. n.d. 12 leaves; 15.5 x 11.5 cm.; handwritten on handmade paper Handmade blue paper covers sewn with green silk; text in black ink, first letter of first word in every line in blue ink; first line and lines underlining entire text in red ink; decorative headpiece on title page and decorative tailpiece on final page of poem in blue ink; colophon statement as follows: “Written out by Sangorski & Sutcliffe London for E.P. Dutton & Company New York”. Back to Edition Separate English editions of “If”Kipling’s English publisher, Macmillan, did not bring out a separate edition of the poem “If” until July 1914. The first edition was a very simple printed leaflet. Later in the month Macmillan issued a more substantial second edition with a printed cover. For the next decade they would continue to reissue this edition with only slight variations in the colour of the paper cover, the date on the cover, and the inclusion or exclusion of ads for other Kipling works on the inside front and back covers. Macmillan also published a number of broadsides of “If” intended for hanging and/or framing. 1914 - Leaflet Kipling, Rudyard. IF. London: Macmillan and Company, 1914. 2 leaves; 19 x 12.5 cm.; white laid paper Text of poem on pages 3 and 4; “COPYRIGHT” in parenthesis printed on verso of page 3. (Stewart #343) Back to Edition 1914 - Pamphlet Kipling, Rudyard. IF. London: Macmillan and Company, 1914. 4 pages; 16 x 11 cm.; pamphlet in light grey paper cover Title, author, publisher information and date all in upper case type and within double rule. Border on cover; text on cover printed in dark brown ink. Text of poem on pages 1 to 4; “copyright” in upper case printed at bottom of page 4. Ads for other Kipling titles published by Macmillan printed on recto and verso of back cover. (Stewart #344) Back to Edition 1916 - Leaflet Kipling, Rudyard. IF by Rudyard Kipling. With the best of Luck from the Ladies of the Waterloo Free Buffet. London: Macmillan and Company, n.d. 2 leaves; 15 x 10.5 cm.; leaflet of heavy cream coloured card stock Title, author, a shamrock motif and good luck message from ladies of the Waterloo Free Buffet contained within double rule border on the cover; cover text and design features printed in blue ink. Text of poem on pages 2, 3 and 4; copyright and publisher statement located at bottom of page 4. Volunteers provided free meals to soldiers travelling through the Waterloo subway station during the First World War. It was felt that Kipling poem “If”would provide both inspiration and solace for the soldiers. (Stewart #345) Back to Edition 1937 - Broadside Kipling, Rudyard. If. London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, [1937]. Broadside; 35 x 20.5 cm.; heavy white cardboard All text and decoration printed on a cream background measuring 38 x 24 cm. Text printed in black letter type; upper case letters within text printed in red and initial letters for the poem and each stanza in blue ink on a gold background. Highly ornate floral design in blue, red, green and yellow on gold background on the left and along the bottom. Title at top also in ornate type and surrounded by floral design. Rudyard Kipling in red ink and ornate type face in lower right corner. Publisher statement at bottom of broadside and outside the cream panel. (Stewart #349) Back to Edition Undated - Broadside Kipling, Rudyard. If. London: Macmillan and Co., n.d. Broadside; 35 x 20.5 cm.; cream coloured cardboard Text of poem and author’s name printed in black and within a floral border printed in red. Publisher statement is centered below the border. At top two metal eyelets and a silk cord to facilitate hanging. (Stewart #350) Back to Edition Undated - Broadside Kipling, Rudyard. If. Manchester, England: Alan Tabor, n.d. Broadside; 32 x 22.5 cm.; textured, cream coloured heavy paper mounted on heavy cardboard Cream paper mounted on black cardboard to produce a dark border; the dark border is decorated with a wavy gold line and gold diamond pattern. Title and first word of every stanza illuminated in gold and on a multi-coloured floral background; gold, blue, red, green and gold floral panel along left side and connecting the initial letters; ten lines of text and first letters of Rudyard Kipling’s name printed in red . In bottom left corner the statement, “Illuminated and published by Alan Tabor, Manchester by permission of Rudyard Kipling” and in the right corner under Kipling’s name, “Copyright”. (Stewart #353) Back to Edition Undated - Broadside Kipling, Rudyard. If. Manchester, England: Alan Tabor, n.d. Broadside; 30.5 x 22 cm.; printed paper mounted on heavy blue board Smaller paper insert on blue board creates a border; a single gold rule decorates the dark border. Text is printed in brown ink; title and first words of all lines and five words within text in ornate typeface. Printed floral design at bottom and lower right. Below the poem and above the floral design are the author’s name in italic and “Copyright"; on the bottom and under the floral design is the statement, “Reg. Copyright Alan Tabor, Manchester”. (Stewart #352) Back to Edition Undated and Publisher Unattributed – Broadside Kipling, Rudyard. If. n.p., n.d. Broadside; 27.5 x 22 cm.; handmade Whatman paper with 1931 watermark Text and facsimile of Kipling’s name printed in black ink; initial word of each stanza printed in red and on a black foliate background. “Copyright" printed in lower left corner. (Stewart #351) Back to Edition “If” in Authorized CollectionsKipling frequently revised , repackaged and republished his work. Rarely has one writer authorized so many collections of definitive and complete works. “If” was included in many selected and collected editions. Kipling selected it to be one of the twenty poems he authorized to be published in 1918 under the very literal title, Twenty Poems. 1918 - First English Edition Kipling, Rudyard. Twenty poems from Rudyard Kipling. London: Methuen & Co., Ltd., 1918. 38 pages; 17.5 x 11 cm. Blue paper cover with text on front cover and spine printed in dark blue ink; poem “If” appears on pages 15 and 16. (Stewart #420) Back to Edition 1918 - First Canadian Edition Kipling, Rudyard. Twenty poems from Rudyard Kipling. Toronto: Macmillan Company of Canada, Ltd., 1918. 38 pages; 17.5 x 11 cm. Blue paper cover with text on front cover and spine printed in dark blue ink; poem “If” appears on pages 15 and 16. (Stewart #421) Back to Edition 1937 - English Limited Edition Kipling, Rudyard. Twenty poems from Rudyard Kipling. Special Limited Edition. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd., 1937. 38 pages; 19.5 x 12 cm. Black cloth hardcover binding ; in gold on spine “Twenty Poems from Rudyard Kipling – Special Edition”. On half-title page the following: TWENTY POEMS FROM RUDYARD KIPLING Special Limited Edition THE RUDYARD KIPLING MEMORIAL FUND BANQUET GROSVENOR HOUSE November 17th 1937 MAJOR-GENERAL THE EARL OF ATHLONE, K.G., President The poem “If” appears on pages 15 and 16. (Stewart #423) Back to Edition Special Authorized Limited EditionKipling, Rudyard. IF. Kralove Vinohrady: Chvala’s Graphic Edition, [1937]. 16 leaves (4 detached signatures of 4 leaves each ); 21.5 x 16 cm. Bright orange folder serves as wrapper for unsewn signatures simply laid in. Line drawing sketch of King George V on verso of last leaf in first signature; brief biography and explanation of importance of poem to Czechs in second signature; each stanza of poem illustrated with a line drawing overlaid by a pastel colour stencil image. The colophon indicates the volume was published in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee of King George of Great Britain with the preface by Dr. Otokar Fischer, English translation by Dr. Hirst, sketch of King George by Karel Minar and the poem illustrations by F. Ketzek. This volume is no. 20 in a limited edition of 25 numbered copies. (Stewart #346) Back to Edition Unauthorized WorksUnauthorized editions of Kipling’s works and inclusion of one or more of his poems in publications without his permission and often without his knowledge were a constant source of irritation to him. Publishers all over the work seemed to feel his poetry spoke universal truths that needed to be brought to the public. That the author may want to ensure his works were accurately and appropriately presented and that he may wish to be compensated were often ignored. Many unauthorized novelty gift books included Kipling’s poem “If”. [1927] Yearbook: 1928. Chicago: Ednyfed H. Williams, [1927]. [399] p.; 17 x 10 cm. Leaf pattern, brown, full leather binding; in gold in the lower left corner of cover is the name, Milton Green; on front cover on a gold background is embossed, “APPOINTMENTS”. Title panel is bordered by a gold gild rule. On recto of front flyleaf in blue ink is full text of the poem “If”. “Compliments of Ednyfed H. Williams, Union trust Bldg. Chicago” is located at the bottom of the page. All text is located within a double rule border; all text and border printed in blue ink. Back to Edition Undated – Book Kipling, Rudyard. The recessional and other poems. Akron, Ohio: Saalfield Publishing Co., n.d. 16 leaves; 8.5 x 6 cm. Miniature book bound in purple suede; printing of poems recto of leaves only; each page bordered by red rules. Intended as a keepsake gift item, the third leaf provides space to fill in the name of the recipient and the gift giver. The poem “If” appears on leaves 11 to 15. (Stewart #627) Back to Edition 
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