MACLEOD, Fiona. Three Legends of the Christ Child. Portland, ME: Thomas B Mosher, MDCCCCVIII [1903].
(140 x 90 mm) 41 pp. Title page in red and black. Each page ruled. Head and tail pieces. Fine binding by Hardy, Maillard, and Pilon in crushed red Morocco with gilt stamping; signed on rear turn in; six compartments on spine with decoration and title and author stamped. Gilt gauffers and edge stamping. Some scuffing. Overall VERY GOOD condition. Ideal Series of Little Masterpieces -10, Only edition.
About the Author:
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Celtic Revival was a championed movement to restore interest in and access to the folklore, literature, art, and languages of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Cornwall, and Brittany.
One of the forgotten figures of the literary camaraderie is Fiona Mcleod— an author who does not exist and yet has such a compelling and strange story fitting into this important movement.
Fiona Mcleod is the dual identity of William Sharp who developed the pseudonym inspired in part by and for Edith Wingate Rinder. Already an established author himself, Sharp began writing as Fiona Mcleod, inspired by Rinder, but found that he was able to write more freely as Fiona.
The pseudonym developed into a distinct career draped in a particular interest in Scottish and Celtic folklore and paganism. When called upon to write letters as Fiona, Sharp would employ his sister’s hand to forge a feminine script.
The deception was so complete that William Butler Yeats initially believed the two to be separate, but when he discovered the dual personality, he was fascinated (W. B. Yeats, Interviews and Recollections, 148-9). Ultimately the dual personality and upkeep strained Sharp.
About the Binding:
The binding of this little book is by the important French binders, Hardy, Maillard, and Pilon, all of whom ended up in America by the late 19th century. They moved their practice from New York to Cleveland, but found the clientele was unable (or unwilling) to pay New York luxury prices.