HADDEN, J. Cuthbert. Faust- Gounod: [SIGNED PRESENTATION COPY FROM ELIZABETH CORBET YEATS TO MOLLY GILL]

[The Great Operas Series]. London: Jack, 1907. First edition. 16mo. pp. 32, [4 (leaves of coloured plates)]. Gilt decorated tan buckram. Inscribed on verso of frontispiece “To Molly / With love / March 25 - 1910 / Many happy returns on / your birthday / E C Yeats. A magnificent association copy.

Elizabeth Corbet Yeats, affectionately known as "Lolly," was a central figure in the Irish Arts and Crafts movement and the co-founder of the Cuala Press, alongside her brother W.B. Yeats. Her friendship with Molly Gill, a fellow artist and theatre costume designer, was rooted in shared values of artistic expression and Irish cultural revival. Molly Gill worked closely with the Dun Emer Guild and the Abbey Theatre, designing costumes that reflected Irish heritage and craftsmanship—interests that mirrored Elizabeth's dedication to high-quality Irish publishing and design.

The two women formed a bond that extended beyond professional admiration. Their collaboration and mutual encouragement played an important role in the flowering of women-led artistic initiatives in early 20th-century Ireland. Molly, known for her imaginative flair, admired Elizabeth's precision and editorial vision, while Elizabeth respected Molly's creativity and contributions to Irish theatre.

Their friendship is a testament to the spirit of collaboration and cultural pride that defined Ireland's literary and artistic renaissance. Both women worked in spheres traditionally dominated by men, carving out space for female agency and leadership. Though less frequently highlighted than their male contemporaries, their relationship and influence were vital to the creative pulse of modern Irish art and literature.

[Porch C]