Andre Maurois — Byron

Paris, Bernard Grasset, 1930. First edition. Fine Binding. A very smartly bound first edition set of Andre Maurois' biography of Byron. From the library at Julians Park, once home to socialite and patron of arts Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie. This work is numbered 516 of copies printed on Velin pur Chiffon. In the original French. Rebound in beautiful half morocco bindings.  Complete in two volumes. 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. 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 uniform half morocco bindings, with paper covered boards. Externally, excellent with minor shelfwear. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright. A few light spots to the preliminary leaves. Otherwise just the odd spot. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine .