Geoffrey Wagner — The Passionate Climate

London, Resurgam Books, 1945. First edition. Leather. The author's presentation copy of this scarce collection of poetry, presented to his friend Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie, with Wagner's ink manuscript poem to the rear endpaper. The first edition of this scarce work.Author's presentation copy, inscribed to the recto to the front endpaper, 'For Audrey, with all my love & blessings, Geoffrey&apos.Author's own poem penned by himself in ink to the verso to the rear free endpaper, beginning 'Down his wrists, along his hands&apos.Original front wrap bound in.A small collection of poetry by Geoffrey Wagner, mostly concerning war.In a striking binding by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Pleydell-Bouverie was a close friend of Stanley Bray, who worked at the firm for over 60 years. He often bound books for her as gifts.From the library of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie, from her library at Julians Park, Hertfordshire. 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 a half morocco binding by Sangorski & Sutcliffe with patterned paper to the boards. Externally, smart. A couple of light marks to the boards, mostly to the rear board. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine .