Marion Alive

London: Michael Joseph, 1943. Fine Binding. Very Good Indeed. 7.5" by 5". None. A finely bound, early English language edition of Vicki Baum's novel 'Marion Alive'. From the library of socialite and patron of the arts Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie. From the library at Julians Park, the former home of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie (Audrey Evelyn James Coats, and Audrey Evelyn James Field). With her bookplate to the verso of front endpaper. 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 a fine binding by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, with their binder's stamp to the verso of front endpaper. Audrey was close friends with Stanley Stanley Bray, who worked at the firm for over 60 years. He was known to bind several books for her as gifts. In a half crushed morocco binding, with paper covered boards. Externally, excellent with minor shelfwear. Light fading to the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright. Scattered spots to the first and last few pages in addition to some spotting to the fore-edge. Very Good Indeed