John Paul II Signed 1st Edition, 1st Printing "Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way" Published Just Months Before His Death - Pristine!

A first edition, first printing issue of Pope John Paul II ((born Karol Józef Wojtyła, 1920-2005), "Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way" (New York: Warner Books, September 2004). The book is signed by Pope John Paul II in Latin as "Joannes Paulus II" on the title page. The "J" of the signature is just touched by a raised blind-embossed papal seal reading "Segreteria Particolare / Di / Sua Santita" located near the bottom left of the title page. With cream boards and gilt-stamped spine, deckled pages, and original dust jacket with the unclipped retail price. Housed in a protective clamshell case with gilt-stamped spine insert. 230pp. Light shelf wear including negligible scuffs to the dust jacket, otherwise near pristine. The book measures 5.875" x 8.5" x .75" while the slipcase, with expected scuffs, measures 6.25" x 9.25" x 1.5." Provenance: From the Patrick Atkinson Collection (Minneapolis, Minnesota).

Originally published under the name "Wstańcie, chodźmy!" and translated from the original Polish by Walter Ziemba, "Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way" was designed as a sequel to John Paul II's "Gift and Mystery: On The 50th Anniversary Of My Priestly Ordination," published in 1996. "Rise" commemorated the Pope's 45th anniversary of ordination as bishop, and the 25th anniversary of his papal election. In the preface, John Paul II explained why he wrote this book: "I offer this book as a sign of love to my brother bishops and to all the People of God…With our gaze fixed on Christ, strengthened by hope that does not disappoint, let us journey together along the paths of the new millennium: 'Rise, let us be on our way' (cf. Mark 14:42)" (ix).

Pope John Paul II served as Bishop of Rome between 1978-2005. Though more conservative than his predecessor Pope Paul VI, John Paul also welcomed cooperation between disparate religious groups, even those outside of Christianity. John Paul II took controversial positions on political issues, including Communism and apartheid. He died in April 2005, just months after the release of "Rise." He was canonized in 2014.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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