THE DEMI-WIDOW

Indianapolis and New York: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1935. First Edition. Hardcover. Near fine/Very good. The acclaimed actress' first novel, concerning a young American widow who, to take care of her child, becomes a naughty temperamental singing star in a Parisian revue. Known in her prime as "America's Sweetheart" and the "girl with the curls," Pickford (1892-1979) was one of the Canadian pioneers of early Hollywood and a significant figure in the development of film acting. Pickford was one of the earliest stars to be billed under her name (film performers until that time were usually unbilled), and was one of the most popular actresses of the 1910s and '20s. This copy is inscribed on the front flyleaf by Pickford's third and last husband, actor and band leader Buddy Rogers ("Valerie, Mary would wish the best of every thing - so do I, Buddy '59"). Accompanied by four holographic love notes from Rogers to Pickford. Octavo. Original blue cloth binding, with gilt titles. Small ink date ("May 7, 1959") to the rear flyleaf. An especially crisp, near fine copy in a very lightly edgeworn dust jacket with a small tape repair to the verso and an extremely faint stain to top corner of the front panel. Housed in a custom two-part solander case with three leather spine labels and gilt stamping. (Inventory #: 66175)