Tarcissus: the boy martyr of Rome
by Frederick Rolfe

This long poem was the first piece by Frederick Rolfe which saw a printing press, albeit probably at his own expense. First published around 1880, this 110 line poem telling the story of the legendary boy martyr is one of the rarest items of modern literature. Over the years there have been a number of editions which have varied from 'fakes' to 'facsimiles' and even these are now expensive and difficult to track down.

This new edition is not a facsimile. There is a short introduction drawing out some of the themes of the poem and relating it to the rest of Rolfe's work as well as brief information on the boys to whom the poem was originally dedicated (the original dedication is also reprinted). Rolfe was fascinated by the combination of boyhood and martyrdom, a combination which he explores at length in many of his early poems and a number of his novels as well.

12pp. sewn into textured card covers with a paper label. Hand painted cover design. Edition limited to 50 numbered copies. Protected in acetate wrappers.

£9.99 + £1 P+P anywhere in the world.