On the inscription in a 1st edition copy of Love-at-Arms

 

“Ai miei autori/con affetto. l’autore/Rafael”

"to my authors, with affection/love. The author Rafael"

"Miei autori" as I react to it, could hardly refer to a pair of writers, and Italian, and to be addressed as "my" authors/writers. It makes no sense to me like that. 

On the other hand, given Rafael's proneness to verbal humour, calling his parents “my authors" makes complete sense. 

It is customary to call God "the Author of life". Why would it be difficult to style one's parents as one's authors? 

Especially for a writer with a recognisable pleasure and much ability in the use of words. Wordplay is an acknowledged trait in him.

There seems to be no date or place. That, too, makes sense. 

The whole is reminiscent of the inscription in Bardelys: in that novel, under the dedication ‘Ai Miei Genitori’ is inscribed “con affetuosi saluti/di/Rafael”.

It occurs to me that there is something poignant in the humorous words about authors and author written at this time by Rafael. It's not so much fun as a wry hint of his feelings as a writer finding his feet. 

He had had aspirations to be a novelist. His first novel was severely mauled by important critics. On the next he got cheated out if his dues by Grant Richards. 

Then he got married when he was without a job, against opposition, on the promise of doing well as a writer. 

The second, not so good, novel had been dedicated to his wife. The better one, next, is dedicated to his "genitori". 

But he was not yet regarded as "an author", or wasn't yet sure of himself. 

After one more, not much noticed, comes this one, the fifth novel but the first set in Italy. 

Now he is more confident - or starting to be. Now he calls himself an author. 

That is what I find poignant. But maybe I'm just sentimental. 

As a devoted parent himself, and a reader who loves Rafael Sabatini, the owner of both copies, Ernest Romano, feels it is a privilege as well as a pleasure to hold in his hands these books which were once held by their author and then by his parents.

 

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