About this Item
A beautiful unused journal book, with the exception of the inscription written by Kay Thompson, author of the classic Eloise books and legendary chanteuse, vocal coach and actress, to the illustrator of the Eloise series, Hilary Knight. The inscription, written in an orange flair in bold, semi-neat, lettering, half block, semi-cursive, reads: "For Dear Dear Hil with love from Rona and ME Kay". There is no punctuation. The inscription strongly suggests that Thompson, who had become reclusive in her later years, remained close to her much younger illustrator, who as the writing of this description, is still alive at 97 years of age. 4to 26 by 18.5 cm. About 2.5 cm thick. We haven't counted the leaves, but we would estimate about 100 blank leaves. Thompson (1909-1998) Cartoleria Zampini, one of the finest of Italian paper shops, is still in business, although it no longer has a location in central Rome, and we think it may no longer have a retail store. Regardless, it traces its roots back to 1815. N.d., circa 1990, perhaps a bit earlier, since that would have meant Thompson had visited Rome in her nineties. Based on the small Zampini stamp, which we have assumed marks the front of the book, the inscription is written upside down on the rear free endpaper, not that it really matters in a blank journal book. The book is intended to evoke the Renaissance aesthetic, with its thick leather, and its paper pastedown with a elaborate foliate and dragon pattern. The background color of the paper is the same red as the leather and thus the paper almost reads as of the same material. The off-white paper is thick, with deckled edges. Watermarked is Extra Gelatina. The box, and its lid, are of a thick card and thus quite sturdy. The Journal and its box are like new, and other than the flamboyant inscription, unused. Half Thick Morocco. Paper pastedown on boards. Lidded box, with same paper pastedown throughout exterior. Seller Inventory # 007990
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