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Tarcissus: The Boy Martyr of Rome, in the Diocletian Persecution A.D. CCCIII. [Saffron Walden: Arthur Boardman], 1880.
細節
[ROLFE, Frederick William (1860-1913)]
Tarcissus: The Boy Martyr of Rome, in the Diocletian Persecution A.D. CCCIII. [Saffron Walden: Arthur Boardman], 1880.
A fine copy of the extremely rare first edition of Rolfe’s first published book. The poem recounts the story of the young boy Tarcissus who was martyred in the third century, beaten to death by a crowd whilst carrying the blessed sacrements. 'The fact that it was a favourite (subject) of poetic pederasts in Rolfe's time invites speculation, especially in view of the fact that the subject matter of Rolfe's fiction was usually coloured by homosexuality' (Miriam J. Benkovitz, Frederick Rolfe: Baron Corvo, 1977, p.11). The number of copies printed is not known but A. J. A. Symons, Rolfe's biographer, states there were only fifty copies made, though the number of dedicatees (22) and the number of surviving copies would suggest a few more.
16mo (121 x 94mm). Original publishers grey card wrappers printed in black, title on front wrapper within double ruled border; near-contemporary red morocco backed folding case, itself in a modern red morocco backed case by Sangorski and Sutcliffe. Provenance: E.H. Mills (book-label on case) — Barry Humphries (1934-2023; bookplate).
Tarcissus: The Boy Martyr of Rome, in the Diocletian Persecution A.D. CCCIII. [Saffron Walden: Arthur Boardman], 1880.
A fine copy of the extremely rare first edition of Rolfe’s first published book. The poem recounts the story of the young boy Tarcissus who was martyred in the third century, beaten to death by a crowd whilst carrying the blessed sacrements. 'The fact that it was a favourite (subject) of poetic pederasts in Rolfe's time invites speculation, especially in view of the fact that the subject matter of Rolfe's fiction was usually coloured by homosexuality' (Miriam J. Benkovitz, Frederick Rolfe: Baron Corvo, 1977, p.11). The number of copies printed is not known but A. J. A. Symons, Rolfe's biographer, states there were only fifty copies made, though the number of dedicatees (22) and the number of surviving copies would suggest a few more.
16mo (121 x 94mm). Original publishers grey card wrappers printed in black, title on front wrapper within double ruled border; near-contemporary red morocco backed folding case, itself in a modern red morocco backed case by Sangorski and Sutcliffe. Provenance: E.H. Mills (book-label on case) — Barry Humphries (1934-2023; bookplate).
