Memoirs of Count Grammont

Anthony Hamilton; Sir Walter Scott

Published by John C. Nimmo, London, 1896

About this Item

Anthony Hamilton's important memoir of the life of Count Grammont, a striking copy in a Zaehnsdorf binding from the library of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie. In a Zaehnsdorf binding.The memoir of the life of Philibert de Gramont, a French nobleman. Edited with notes by Walter Scott.In 1662, Gramont was exiled from France for paying attentions to one of the Louis XIV's mistresses. He escape to the new court of Louis' cousin, Charles II, where he found an environment of pleasure, gallantry, and intrigue.A fascinating memoir showing first-hand insight into the courts of two of the most well regarded 'fun' kings of history.Illustrated with a frontispiece, and eleven plates.Collated, complete.Written by Antoine Hamilton, a soldier and author who fled to France during the Interregnum. Hamilton was the brother-in-law of Gramont.Edited with notes by Sir Walter Scott.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.Audrey's bookplate to the recto to the front free endpaper, and upside down to the rear paste down. In a half morocco Zaehnsdorf binding with cloth to the boards. Externally, fine. Spine is a little faded. Light spots to the fore edge. Bookplate to the recto to the front free endpaper, and to the rear paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Frontispiece is detaching a little to the tail. Near Fine.

Seller Inventory # 794P43

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Memoirs of Count Grammont
• Publisher: John C. Nimmo, London
• Publication Date: 1896
• Binding: Leather
• Illustrator: Various
• Condition: Near Fine
• Book Type: book