


The author's presentation copy, inscribed by the author to the recto to the front endpaper,'For Alan with love, Rosalind Brackenbury, 10.11.77'. A first edition of this scarce work. In the original unclipped dustwrapper. A wonderful historical novel in which a man researching into the seventeenth century history of Provence is taken away from his home in England in order to pursue a challenge.
From the library at Julians Park, Hertfordshire, once the library of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie. After being widowed at 25, Audrey married the fabulously wealthy American department store heir, Marshall Field III, later divorcing him and marrying the Honorable Peter Pleydell-Bouverie. In 1940 she bought Julians Park and redesigned the interior. Her library was impressive, with many examples of her own bookbinding.
Audrey was an extravagant socialite and renowned beauty, the illegitimate granddaughter of King Edward VII (though she was also rumoured to be his daughter, or the lover of King Edward VIII), featured in the'Book of Beauty' by Cecil Beaton. She had many high profile friends, such as Winston Churchill, Coco Chanel, Fred Astaire, and Nancy Mitford, a sparkling hostess of the Edwardian period, her hedonistic antics bringing her into the Bright Young Things. In the original publisher's cloth binding, in the original unclipped dustwrapper. Dustwapper is a little edge worn with small closed tears.
Small label to the front fly leaf. Backstrip is a little sunned. Pages are bright and clean. Overall Condition: Fine Near Fine. Fine - Very well preserved copy showing very little wear.Only one or two minor faults, really a very attractive copy. Quite a wide term meaning no major faults but probably several smaller ones.
Often expected given the age of the book, but still a respectable copy. Some more serious faults as will. Be described in the condition report under'condition. Good Only - Meaning one or more faults that could really do with repair. As with good only above but with other faults.Leaving a compromised copy even after repair. Really bad and possibly seriously incomplete. We only sell books in this condition where their rarity or value makes them. Major defects will be described.
Please ask for details and conditions. Please note we cannot accept USD cheques.