Peter Matthiessen — Race Rock

New York, Harper & Brothers, 1954 . First edition. Cloth. The first edition of this emotional novel from prominent American writer Peter Matthiessen, in the publisher's original dust wrapper. The first edition, first impression of this novel from American author, naturalist and wilderness writer Peter Matthiessen, a prominent environmental activist and co-founder of The Paris Review. In the publisher's original price unclipped dust wrapper. His first published novel, this work tells the story of four New England inhabitants as their lives intersect.With former owner's inscription 'Audrey Bouverie' to the front free endpaper. Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie was an extravagant socialite and renowned beauty of the Edwardian period. Impeccably connected, Pleydell-Bouverie was also the illegitimate granddaughter of King Edward VII, and rumoured to be a lover of King Edward VIII. A sparkling figure of fashionable society, her friends included Nancy Mitford, Coco Chanel, Winston Churchill, and Fred Astaire. This work is from the sale of Pleydell-Bouverie"s library at Julians Park, Hertfordshire. She purchased the home in 1940, redesigning the interior and amassing an impressive library, featuring many examples of her own bookbinding. In the publisher's original quarter cloth binding with paper covered boards, and price unclipped dust wrapper. Bumping to spine head and tail, and fading to back strip and board heads. Former owner's inscription to front free endpaper. Light discolouration to dust wrapper back strip. Head of rear wrap age toned, with general light edgewear and rubbing to joints. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good/Very Good Indeed.