QUEEN OF ROSES by Ruth Adams Knight Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Company, Inc., 1959. First edition, first printing. Dust jacket art by Arthur Shilstone. Inscribed, dated 1960, and SIGNED by the author to the front free end-paper. A one and a half page, SIGNED and hand-written letter and envelope by Ms. Knight laid in. The envelope is USPS stamped Pasadena, Calif. 1960. A letter of wonderful content. Not only is the letter warm and intimates a close friendship, but the author discusses her current speaking engagements while on the road in California, and she talks about her agent pressing to complete her new story. Ms. Knight wrote the letter to the same person she inscribed the book to. The Pasadena Tournament of the Roses becomes the arena on which is tested the stamina and character of three highly dissimilar girl students from the Pasadena City College. Romance, catastrophe, and conflict evolve from the yearly competition with the fundamental aspirations of each girl emerging from the ordeal with dramatic clarity. Ms. Knight wrote numerous young adult novels focused on personal challenges. She was most well-known for writing thousands of radio and television scripts, including for the series: Brave Tomorrow; Cavalcade of America; Aunt Jennie; and Dr. Christian. Ruth Adams Knight lived the last portion of her life in the fascinating Pasadena she wrote about in this novel. She passed away in Pasadena in 1974. The book is tight and possibly unread. Tiny nick and slight wear to the upper spine edge, else near fine in bright orange, textured boards with black titles to the spine; in a near fine dust jacket slightly faded to the spine panel and with a tiny rub-wear dot to the upper front corner, light wear to the spine ends, and a small nick to the upper spine edge. Original $2.95 price still intact to the front inner flap. A well preserved copy of a book susceptible to sunlight and wear. Especially elusive SIGNED, and unique with a letter laid in. FREE SHIPPING TO THE USA PLEASE VIEW OUR STORE FOR MORE GREAT FIRST EDITION BOOKS THANKS!