Charles Morgan — Sparkenbroke

London, Macmillan and Co, 1936. First edition. Fine Binding. A beautiful, signed first edition of Charles Morgan's mystical and quasi-autobiographical work. From the library at Julians Park, the home of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie. A limited edition, of which 210 copies have been printed with 200 for sale. Each copy bears the author's signature to the limitation page and this copy is no different with the author's signature in black ink.  This limited edition was issued simultaneously with a trade edition of the novel. In the original niger morocco binding.Morgan tells this story of art, love, and death, and the relationship between them: a favoured theme by this author. Following the story of Lord Sparkenbroke, a poet and storyteller and a powerful, original figure, George Hardy, a plain character, and Mary, who loves both and is loved by both her friends.From the library at Julians Park, once the home of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie (Audrey Evelyn James Coats, and Audrey Evelyn James Field).  Pleydell-Bouverie was the youngest daughter of an Anglo-American lumber and steel millionaire. Audrey was also alleged to be the illegitimate granddaughter of King Edward VII, although she was also rumoured to be his daugher, or the lover of King Edward VIII.  She bought Julians Park in 1940 following her third marriage to the Hon Peter Pleydell-Bouverie. Audrey was a patron of the arts and it is believed that she bound several books herself, as many books from her library were stamped with her name and she owned a group of bookbinding tools. Her circle of friends included Winston Churchill, Coco Chanel and Nancy Mitford. She was featured in Cecil Beaton's 'Book of Beauty' and was regarded as one of the Bright Young Things. In the original crushed morocco binding. Externally, excellent with minor shelf-wear. Spine is lightly faded. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright. Heavy scattered spotting to the endpapers. Otherwise, just the odd spots to pages. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine .