c1907 The Cloud of Witness a Daily Sequence of Great Thoughts From Many Minds

Description

Illustrated, Leather Binding, Signed Binding

Bound by Bumpus.

An important Christian work by Edith Mary Gell, a comprehensive collection of quotations from many great minds, pondering on many important religious themes.

Undated, dated c1907 from the date of the preface for the one hundred and sixtieth thousand. This edition is the one hundred and eighty-fifth thousand.

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.

Gifted to Audrey with an ink inscription to the recto to the front endpaper, dated 1918, 'To Audrey, remembering her Comminoun at our School Altar, 7th November 1918'.

Audrey's pencil notes to the final few leaves, noting anniversaires, and self reflections.