Johan G. R. Baner.
 
Ironwood: Johnan G. R. Baner, circa 1930s. Octavo. Stapled red paper wraps, a touch pushed on the upper right corner, toned on the top of the rear wrap. 63 pages. First edition, inscribed by the author to "the true bard" at the end of the Foreword on page 4 in what looks like light blue crayon. Near fine.
 
Vikings on Lake Superior in the Eleventh Century. Led by Vidar, Vikings penetrated the upper peninsula and operated copper mines on Isle Royale. This surprising statement conflicting with anything history tells us is made by Johan Baner, of Ironwood, writer authority on Norse mythology and antiquarian who founds his belief on a runic inscription found in the Province of Heisingland, Sweden and a story given him by an Indian. Vidar was told by a visionary Icelandic governor that a prophet could be found in what would become Michigan who could lead him to the spirit of his dead mother. With the prophet nowhere to be found, Vidar and his crew mined copper with the Chippeway as a consolation. Baner, genuine in his belief, tells the story in verse. OCLC identifies three other copies, none signed. Deeply strange and magical North American history as poetry. 
 
"Hopeless became the chieftan. Hopeless also were his valiant chosen ones; but they were fighting. Tomahawks have never, never drank, as then, wolfish heart-blood."