Geoffrey Scott — The Portrait of Zelide
London, Constable and Co, 1925. First edition. Fine Binding. The first edition of this award winning biography on Isabelle de Charriere. Bound by the socialite and patron of the arts, Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie. This biography won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for 1925. It regards Isabelle de Charriere, the Swiss writer of the Enlightenment. She is known for her letters and novels, although she was also proficient at writing pamphlets, music and plays. This work is bound in a full morocco binding, and has been signed by 'Audrey Field' to the front pastedown. 'Field was the second married name of Audrey Evelyn Pleydell-Bouverie. It is believed this work was bound by her as she owned a group of bookbinding tools. This book is from the library of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie (Audrey Evelyn James Coats, and Audrey Evelyn James Field) at Julian"s Park. 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. 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.Loosely inserted is a christmas card which shows Coddington Mill by M E Warwick 'With love and best wishes from Sissy, Lloyd Rems' Illustrated, with a frontispiece and three plates. Collated, complete. A unique copy of this important biography, with fascinating provenance. In a full crushed morocco binding. Externally, generally smart. Rubbing to the front board, with a small amount of loss. Spine has faded, as is common with leather of this colour. Light tidemark to the rear board. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright. Occasional light spots to pages. Very Good . Ill.: Various. Very Good .
