Go, Lovely Rose

BURKE, Thomas

Published by Sesphra Library, U.S., 1931

About this Item

This is a signed, limited edition of Thomas Burke's Lolita-like short story. Published in an edition of "110 copies of which 100 are for sale, and the type has been distributed", this is copy number 44, signed by Thomas Burke. The book is interesting enough, being a departure from the author's more well-known tales of London's underbelly in books such as "Limehouse Nights" (1916), but this copy is unique. It must have belonged at some stage to Frances Paelian (1914-2008). She was a designer, artist and author, and wrote books on religious and mystical subjects ("Anahid: And There Was Light", "The Mystical Marriage of Science and Spirit"). She also illustrated similar books and designed greetings cards. She would have been around 17 when this book was published and she has decorated this copy with two highly accomplished paintings. On a front blank is a full page painting of the book's main character, the fourteen-year-old Rose Freyne ("at the topmost poise of charm"), wearing her green dress and aglow with "the strangest smile I have ever seen.". And on the half-title is a lovely painting of a rose branch, resplendent with leaves and red roses. Each of these paintings is signed in pencil "Frances Paelian", and the artist's penciled outlines can still be seen. What astonishes me about these paintings, apart from their charm, is that although they appear to be watercolors, there is absolutely no sign of bleeding or seeping of paint, or wrinkling of paper on the versos. I don't know how she achieved this, but it is plain that these paintings were applied directly onto the book. There is a little browning and spotting to the edges and to the paper label on the upper board, and the very top of the spine is slightly worn and stained. A very good copy now protected in a glassine dust jacket (probably not contemporary with the book), which has a couple of short tears on rear panel. An extraordinary copy of this scarce book with its hand-painted illustrations being a considerable enhancement. MC. Seller Inventory # 001517

Bibliographic Details

Title: Go, Lovely Rose

Publisher: Sesphra Library, U.S.

Publication Date: 1931

Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: Frances Paelian

Condition: Very Good

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: 1st Edition