White Fire [Association Copy]

London: Quality Press, 1948. First Edition [although changed, in Laurie's own hand, to 1949]. Hardcover. Near Fine. First Edition [although changed, in Laurie's own hand, to 1949]. Hardcover. This is Michael Laurie's (likely a pseudonym) only novel and, it seems, his only published book. Set in the 1930s, it recounts the experiences of Anthony Ileagh from the age of ten to his eighteenth birthday.
A sensitively wrought novel about a schoolboy's infatuation for an older boy and his tutor's infatuation for him. For its time, an unusually forthright Uranian work. Frequent allusions to Lawrence Housman and Edward Carpenter, Gide, etc, the author was clearly well versed in the gay literature of the period and evidences a strong pacifist element.
The story is about a teacher, Robin, who falls for Anthony at prep school and then tutors him until he is fourteen. He guides Anthony's reading through Carpenter, Whitman, Housman and Gide and when Anthony reaches sixteen and falls for an older athlete of eighteen, the teacher encourages the relationship. The 'White Fire' of the title refers to the blossom of cherry trees which is used as a symbol of puberty and desire but also of purification and the cycle of death in winter and rebirth in spring. The text mixes lyrical description of nude swimming in sunlit pools under green trees, with a psychological analysis of adolescent self-discovery and a defense of the invert as natural, vital and right.
The dedicatee, Julian, was the beloved friend of the author. Laurie's inscription reads "For my Julian - without whom there would have been no White Fire: but with whom, all things are possible". Specially bound by Zaehnsdorf in contemporary blue morocco, with single fillet gilt border to both covers and, at the centre of the upper cover, a decorative "J.M." monogram (for Julian and Michael). As well as the gift inscription to Julian, the same blank preliminary leaf has an inscription from Gide, "oh boy whom I love, I will carry you with me in my flight!". Beneath this Laurie has inscribed "Richmond Hill 25 viii 49". Bound in is a portrait of a boy in pencil with white highlights, signed "M.L. 1949" and framed in a decorative silver and red oval drawn by the author. The boy is presumably Julian and looks not unlike the boy on the first edition dustjacket. The decorative J.M. monogram also appears, pasted in on a small piece of paper, on the verso of the half title. Many leaves, especially the preliminaries, are intricately embellished and decorated in red in a filigree leaf design. Laid in is an errata leaf in Laurie's hand and marked "All noted by M.L.". This is a beautiful book, lovingly embellished and a moving testimony to what was clearly a deep and loving relationship. White Fire is rare: eight copies appear in global institutional databases and none at auction. Numerous notations in red ink (see below), presentation inscription and sketch, light even toning, else tight and unmarred. Full blue leather, five raised bands, compartments decorated in gilt, second third compartments lettered in gilt, a decorative monogram in the center of the front board ("JM"), marbled endpapers, aeg. 8vo. 228. Inscribed, decorated, and signed by the author. (Inventory #: 12313)