BOOKS

Vintage

BEAUTIFUL JOE by MARSHALL SAUNDERS

I have owned this book for 72 years.  It was given to me for Christmas in 1934 by an animal loving Aunt.
I have taken this book, my most precious possession, with me all over the world.
My edition was 1907, published by the AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY, although it was made and printed in Great Britain.
The author, MARSHALL SAUNDERS,  who was in fact MARGARET MARSHALL SAUNDERS, entered her book in a contest sponsored by the American Humane and Educational Society.  She won the contest and BEAUTIFUL JOE was published in 1893.

I am a little confused because I checked the information given in my book on the Internet and found a site ' the Beautiful Joe T.M. Heritage Society' who claim the book as Canadian.
Perhaps Margaret was a Canadian who told her story, over the border in America, to conform with the contest she entered.  It really doesn't matter, it is a wonderful book and one that has influenced me for life.
I was unable to take a clear photo of the book's exterior because, like myself, it doesn't look too good after nearly 80 years use !