G.K. Chesterton | The Ballad of St. Barbara, London, 1922, first edition, inscribed by the author to his mother

G.K. Chesterton

The Ballad of St. Barbara. London: Cecil Palmer, 1922

FIRST EDITION, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR: "To my mother, with love GKC Nov 18, 1922", 8vo, original wrappers, in the scarce dust-jacket, slight creasing and browning to front free endpaper, minor tears at spine ends of dust-jacket

Chesterton's mother—née Marie Louise Grosjean—although born in Kensington, was of Swiss and Scottish descent in a family of Wesleyan Methodist persuasion. Saint Barbara is the patron saint of gunners and those in danger of sudden death. Weighing nearly 290lbs, Chesterton was unfit for army service. (When once asked why he was not "out at the front", he replied: "Madam, if you go round to the side, you will see that I am.") Nonetheless, he was an enthusiastic recruit to the War Propaganda Bureau.