[Robert Smith Surtees] — Plain or Ringlets?

London, Bradbury & Evans, 1860. First edition. Leather. The first edition of this popular Surtees hunting novel, illustrated beautifully with hand-coloured plates throughout, with an impressive provenance. The first edition of this work.'Plain or Ringlets' is one of Robert Smith Surtees' popular hunting novels, featuring heavy overtones on the social life and customs of the nineteenth century.Illustrated with a hand-coloured title page, twelve hand-coloured plates, and in-text engravings.Collated, complete.Robert Smith Surtees was a popular sporting writer, beginning his writing career by contributing to the "Sporting Magazine". His best novel is often considered to be "Mr Sponge"s Sporting Tour", with his hero, Soapey Sponge, being as popular as his comic character Jorrocks, featured in numerous novels, including "Handley Cross". His comical novels are engaging and witty, with his writing style and character sometimes being compared to Charles Dickens.Illustrated by John Leech, a caricaturist best known for his work for 'Punch&apos. His scathing portrayal of current events led to a great popularity of his work. He also illustrated edition of Charles Dickens' works.Bookplate to the front paste down and to the recto to the front endpaper.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 crushed morocco binding with cloth to the boards. Externally, smart. Light rubbing to the spine and extremities. A few light marks to the boards. Hinges are starting a little but remain firm. Bookplate to the front paste down and to the recto to the front endpaper. Prior bookseller's label to the verso to the front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with some odd spots. Very Good . Ill.: John Leech. Very Good .