St Francis of Assisi

1926, the first illustrated edition of G K Chesterton's biography, signed by Welsh opera singer Leila Megane

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

Undated [1926]. First illustrated edition. Hardback, bound in tan cloth with inlaid illustration to upper board and gilt titling to spine. 19.5 × 14cm, 185pp.

This copy belonged to Welsh mezzo-soprano opera singer Leila Megane, with her signature to the front pastedown and a publicity pamphlet for her loosely inserted.

G K Chesterton's biographical study of St Francis of Assisi, a great paradoxical figure and one of the greatest saints in the Christian calendar. He was a man who loved women but vowed himself to chastity; an artist who loved the pleasures of the natural world as few have loved them, but vowed himself to the most austere poverty, stripping himself naked in the public square so all could see that he had renounced his worldly goods. This edition illustrated with seven tipped-in, tissue guarded colour plates by Frederick Cayley Robinson.

Condition

A good copy but with a few blotchy marks to the upper board and with scattered foxing throughout, getting quite heavy towards the end of the book. All plates are present and this copy remaining in strong readable condition.