Saint Patrick of England
San Francisco: Printed by The Grabhorn Press, 1955. Limited edition. Quarto (13 1/8 inches tall), original emerald cloth boards, original blank kraft-paper wrapper. A Fine copy. Item #970
"YOUR BELOVED PATRICK WAS A NATIVE OF ENGLAND"
Limited edition of this debate on the controversy of the origins of St. Patrick—privately printed for the author at the Grabhorn Press with a fine woodcut portrait of the Saint by Mallette Dean.
Evidently intended to resolve a spirited debate between Mr. Thomas Kilmartin (Coroner of Santa Clara County) and Judge William F. James over the birthplace and true nationality of the Patron Saint of Ireland. Mr. Kilmartin contended that Patrick was from Scotland with the Judge asserting English origin. Written as a letter and addressed, "Dear Tom," this essay seems to resume a point of contention: "Some considerable time has passed since you and I had our controversy (if it may be so called) over the place of birth of St. Patrick. Much of that time I have devoted to a research of such authorities as I could find...in my perhaps too positive assertion that your beloved Patrick was a native of England." The Judge ends with five summary conclusions stressing the lack of evidence of any substantial Roman settlement to the north of the Great (Hadrian's) Wall. His letter concludes: "I am sure I have shown you our Saint was not born in Scotland...and the date of his birth has been greatly antedated. And so, dear friend...show me wherein I have erred—if you can. Sincerely yours" with 'William F. James" signed in red pencil. Number 95 of the 200 copies printed (on English handmade paper) for the author by the Grabhorn Press, with title page in red-and-black and pagination in red. Numbered on the limitation page in red pencil, with the Judge's signature also in red pencil on the terminal leaf. Grabhorn 560.
Price: $75.00