Madhabhadha or Story of Wild Rose: A Play of Five Chapters compiled by his Majesty King Vajiravudha Rama VI of Siam B.E. 2467

Siam: Self Published, 1926. Hardcover. g. 8vo. 94 ff. 16 full page lovely illustrations, all b/w overlaid in gold. Black cloth with gorgeous large gilt rose bush surrounded by decorative gilt border with traditional Oriental symbols. Gilt on spine with Thai writing and decorative gilt rose and emblem. English page posted inside front cover explaining the title, origin and occasion of book's presentation. Title in red and black on title page. In Thai. The illustrations in this work are absolutely magnificent, each being a perfect example of traditional Thai and Siamese art and imagery. Spine starting, some spotting to outside edges of pagers, but book is in good - very good condition. Presented to the celebrants on the occasion of the cremation of the late King of Siam Rama VI, March 24 1926. King Vajiravudha, (1818 - 1925) whose reigning title was Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua was known for his passionate love of theater. He was educated in England and his great love of literature and poetry in both Thai and English along with his scholastic abilities was later to manifest itself during his reign. Among his lasting achievements were devising a system of transliterating Thai into English and of translating the entire works of Shakespeare into Thai. His passion for traditional Thai theater and ballet left a mass of published scores which form the basis of the study of these arts, even through the present day. His passion was creating literary works for the Siamese theater, with over one thousand poems and plays of romantic and nationalistic themes.