Aurora 1947 Mireille Pradier/Guy Sabran ~ translated by C. Burr Dawes ~ Princess Story

Title: Aurora

Author: Story by Mireille Pradier [Translation by C. Burr Dawes]
Illustrator: Guy Sabran

Description: Pictorial papered boards. A little wear to foot of spine and corners. Interior is clean and unmarked. Color illustrations on every page. Dust jacket price clipped; a few short closed tears to top edge; in an archival mylar sleeve. 31, [1] pages.12.25 x 9 inches. An attractive and scarce copy.

''Inspired by the romance and adventure of a brave and sunny France of centuries ago... In this setting of towers and drawbridges, of courts and tournaments, surrounded by Lords and Ladies, Chevaliers, Squires and Pages, the charming story is told of how Aurora learned the secret of laughter and tears, and won the admiration of all her subjects--and the love of a handsome and courageous prince.''

Aurora was first published in France in May 1944, just a few weeks before D-Day and the Allied invasion. Through friends in the French underground, C. Burr Dawes, then a Major with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, precursor of the CIA), met with the publisher and arranged to bring it out in America after he had translated it for his own three daughters.

Carlos Burr Dawes (1902-1996) was the nephew of the United States Vice President Charles Gates Dawes. He became interested in children's literature while serving with the OSS in France and intended to bring other volumes to American audiences. However, difficulties arose, and Dawes ended up suing Tell-Well Books for breach of contract, for failing to take for sale or promotion their half of the 10,000 copies of 'Aurora.' [The Kansas City Star, May 27, 1948, p. 15]. While his publishing venture did not come to great fruition, Dawes is well remembered for his conservation work, for his devotion to the legacy of the Ohio horticulturist Johnny Appleseed, and as a founding trustee, Chairman Director and historian of the Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio.

Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good+
Jacket Condition: Very Good+

Publisher: Editions G.P., Paris / The Tell-Well Press, Kansas City, Missouri
Year: 1947

Keywords: C. Burr Dawes, children's, picture book, princesses,