SAW-DUST
Association first edition of Cartland's second novel — inscribed before publication by the Cartland to her uncle.
Very good.
Price: $1,500.00
SAW-DUST
Barbara Cartland was one of the most successful authors in the history of the novel in English, with a career spanning seven decades, over 700 books, and more than one billion copies sold. Cartland's influence across romance is tremendous and multifaceted, not only in contemporaries but also historicals (where she herself was heavily indebted to Heyer and, at one point, quietly settled a plagiarism complaint brought by Heyer). Cartland was a flamboyant performer, the Liberace of romance. Interviews with her never fail to entertain, showing off a personality equally charismatic and eccentric. Every opinion she held was a strong one, and most of those opinions were contrary: she basked in her opposition to second wave feminism, and stuck proudly to her virginal heroines long after they had fallen out of style.
SAW-DUST features many of the traits that would become fixtures of Cartland's popular romances: an innocent but lively country girl, a titled hero with whom she falls in love, a happy ending with a lavish estate. The warm inscription to William Hall Walker, Baron Wavertree — known to Cartland as "Uncle Willie" — indicates the close personal relationship she had with her uncle, including his influence upon her worldview and his "helpful criticisms." Any first editions of Cartland's early books are scarce, and even rarer signed: especially so association copies.
Read more: Pearson, Barbara Cartland: Crusader in Pink.
The Object
London: Duckworth, (1926). 7.25'' x 4.75''. Original blue cloth lettered in gilt. Lacking original dust jacket. 318 pages. Inscribed by Cartland on front free endpaper: "To darling Uncle Willie / to whom I am indebted / for many of the thoughts / in this book, and especially / for the interest, kindness / and helpful criticism / always accorded me. With my best love / Barbara / March 20th 1926." Small loss to top corner of p.77/8, not affecting text.Sunning to spine and a bit to rear board, spine lean.
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