Rose Florence Freeman-Ishill Ishill served as his wife's sole publisher. Because of the typically limited distribution of the Press' publications, her work received very little notice in mainstream publications. For that reason, she is but a footnote among American authors and poets. Those who did take note, however, accorded a great deal of respect and admiration to her and her work.
She began writing poetry as a young school girl, during which time her talent was brought to the attention of Dr. Elias Lieberman, who at the time was the director of the University Settlement, a group who met "for the encouragement of creative work" which she eventually joined. Rose Goldstein, as she was then known, was a discipline problem and a frequent visitor to the principal's office at the Hester Street Intermediate School, but her talent was unmistakable. Lieberman recalled his first meeting with the eleven-year old Rose:
"The teacher produced a frayed composition book in which Rose kept her work. I was astonished at what I read. Plagiarisms, I thought. I looked at the child critically and then questioned her. "Where do you get your ideas, Rose?" I queried. She must have sensed my suspicion. Her answer came suddenly in a flash of indignation. "Why don't you ask the ocean where it gets its waves?" I believed in her originality then and there.
Dream And Advent (Prose And Verse), by Rose Freeman-Ishill. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Oriole Press, 1929. Copy no. X.
Garamond and Couchin types; decorations by Maurice Duvalet; printed in three colors; 60 copies on Japanese vellum; 5.75 x 8 inches; 10 p.
Poems, by Rose Freeman-Ishill. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Oriole Press, 1930.
Garamond and Eve types; printed in three colors; 42 copies on Kelmscott paper; boards with linen spine; 5.25 x 8 inches; p. 36.
This is the second collection of his wife's poetry which Ishill published. A few of these had been published in The Free Spirit and Open Vistas.
Petals Blown Adrift, by Rose Florence Freeman. New York:J. Ishill. 1918.
Cromwell type; printed in three colors; 245 copies on book paper, 15 on Japanese vellum; 5.5 x 7.5 inches; 94 p.
This was the first published collection of Rose Freeman-Ishill's poetry. So unconcerned about her work was she that her husband had to collect these poems from among her papers as they were blown by the wind, like "petals blown adrift." This collection made a strong impression on several critics, among them J. William Lloyd: "In a few years from now," he said, "if this minstrel adheres steadily to her art, and by untiring practice and pitiless self-criticism develops its individual perfection, she should be recognized, and worthy of recognition, as one of the immortals."
Instead Of A Christmas Carol, Including The Text of President Roosevelt's United Flag Day Address Which Concludes With A Prayer by Stephen Vincent Benet. Introductory poem by Charles Dickens with a Message by Rose Freeman-Ishill and Joseph Ishill. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Oriole Press, 1942.
Garamond and Hadriano types; printed in black, red and blue; 150 copies on Arak and Archer papers; 4 copies on Maidstone handmade paper; wrappers; 5 x 8 inches; 16 p. [For private distribution.]
World War II had a profound effect on Ishill. His son, Anatole, was inducted into the army, and the destruction of the war was horrifying to his humanitarian beliefs. To quote the note from the Ishill's, "for many this Christmas will not be, as it was in the past, an occasion for joy in the redemption of celestial promise We therefore beg the indulgence of our friends because this Christmas we send them greeting other than a Christmas card--something in the place of a Christmas Carol."
O-Jin-San: From Rain Among The Bamboos, by Rose Freeman-Ishill. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Oriole Press, 1958.
Frontispiece from a Japanese painting; Elegante type; printed in green and orange; 63 copies on Renker Text paper; green wrappers; 3.875 x 7.875 inches; 3 p.
This is a reprint of a poem by Rose Freeman-Ishill that first appeared in the collection Rain Among the Bamboos.
To The Unknown Martyrs, by Rose Freeman- Ishill. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Oriole Press, 1959.
Post Roman Light type with Elegante for title; printed in three colors; 50 copies on Renker Text paper; wrappers with printed label; 5 x 8.125 inches; 3 p.
The poem is dedicated to the Jews and other victims of Nazism.
Dedications (A Group Of Poems), by Rose Freeman-Ishill. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Oriole Press, 1948. Copy no. 18.
Garamond, Script and Hebrew types; printed in three colors; 52 copies on Andora paper, 42 copies in boards with linen spine, 10 with parchment spine; 4.625 x 8.25 inches; 83 p.
Inscription: "to Agnes - with cordial regards of Rose - March 20/49."
This is a collection of twenty-one dedicatory poems written by Ishill's wife for various occasions. Many of the dedications are memorial poems, a few are dedicated to the birth of a child, such as the Ishill's three children, and their grandson Paul. Most of these poems appeared in print prior to this compilation, in periodicals such as Free Vistas, and others appeared in Petals Blown Adrift, Freeman-Ishill's Wrst published collection of poetry.
Seer In Darkness, by Rose Freeman-Ishill. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Oriole Press, 1964.
Bodoni Book type; printed in five colors; 70 copies on Strathmore Pastelle and 30 copies on Warren Olde Style paper; wrappers; 5 x 8.25 inches; 9 p.
As she progressed in age, Rose Freeman-Ishill had many serious medical problems, including slowly deteriorating eyesight, which she eventually lost. The title poem describes her eVort to feel the beauty of the garden she could no longer see.
Rose Freeman-Ishill: Reviews And Comments, with an Unpublished Letter by Havelock Ellis. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Oriole Press, 1951.
Garamond type; frontispiece woodcut by Maurice Duvalet; printed in black and orange; 200 copies on Andora paper; wrappers; 4.25 x 6.75 inches; 24 p.
Included among this brief work, in addition to the unpublished letter from Havelock Ellis (1859-1939), are reviews of Freeman-Ishill's poetry from three magazines.
