Collected Poems

The collection is a compilation of all of Auden’s personal works that he wished to preserve. It includes three poems referred to by Auden as posthumous poems, and others that he omitted from the Collected Shorter Poems of 1966. Auden's work "ranges from the political to the religious, from the urbane to the pastoral, from the mandarin to the invigoratingly plain-spoken." His intention was to display his perceptions of life and concerns, and to challenge the traditional and modern to coexist. 

Random House published a first Edition hardcover in New York, 1976. The dust cover is white with red edges.

Faber & Faber published a paperback edition in London, 1994. The edition is characterized by a textured grey print and light blue blocking on the front cover. 

The Franklin Library published two limited editions. One 1976: leather bound in red, accented in 22kt gold, and printed on archival paper with gilded edges. The endsheets are of moire fabric with a silk ribbon page marker. Smyth sewing and concealed muslim joints, along with a hubbed spine. And one in 1980: leather bound in dark grey/green, accented in 22kt gold, and printed on archival paper with gilded edges. The endsheets are of moire fabric with a silk ribbon page marker. Smyth sewing and concealed muslim joints, along with a hubbed spine.