LA HIJA QUE YO MATE. Comedia en dos partes, original by ARDAVIN, Luis Fernandez (1891-1962) - 1943

NP, 1943. Two volumes bound in red morocco, gilt decorated spines, boards panelled in gilt floral designs. 22 cm. 67; 90 pp. A specially bound typescript in Spanish, rectos only, of Ardavin's [unpublished?] play "La Hija Que Yo Mate," ["The Daughter I Killed"]. A bit of wear to spine ends, some darkening to leather, else a very nice set. Small bookseller's sticker on verso of front endpaper. Inscribed in the first volume by Ardavin to Capt. R. D[race] White, whose name is stamped in gilt on the front boards of both volumes. Ardavin's inscription to White, dated 14 April 1943, references their enjoyable travel amongst the ruins of Italy. Luis Fernandez Ardavin was a Spanish playwright, poet, librettist and translator. He was also a film scriptwriter, often collaborating with his brother, the director Eusebio Fernandez Ardavin. One of his most successful plays, "The Lady with an Ermine," (1922) was made into a film in 1947.
Capt. R. Drace White was likely the 1899 U.S. Naval Academy graduate who served as Federal Supervisor of New York Harbor in the early 1930s. He was known at that time as a Captain though he later attained the rank of Rear Admiral. He served in the Spanish American War, World War I, and in Naval intelligence during World War II. In the late 1930s, he served at the American Embassies in Rome and Vienna. Possibly this is where he met Ardavin. [see: his obituary in the NY Times, Nov. 21, 1953].