“EQUALLY A GEM AMONG THE FINE ARTS AND IN LITERATURE”

JAMESON, Mrs. [Anna Brownell]. Memoirs of the Beauties of the Court of Charles the Second. London: Henry Colburn, 1838. Two volumes. Quarto, 19th-century three-quarter red calf gilt, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, brown and green morocco spine labels, raised bands, marbled boards and endpapers, top edges gilt. $850.

Second and enlarged edition, with 21 engraved portraits. Attractively bound by Zaehnsdorf.

A contemporary reviewer wrote that "this truly beautiful and splendid production is equally a gem among the Fine Arts and in Literature" and went on to praise her "diligence of research—her charms of style—the acuteness, force, and justice of her remarks—her characteristic touches—the racy and piquant manner with which she relates an anecdote" (Allibone, 953). Lowndes, 1190. With original cloth spines tipped in at rear. Owner signatures.

Light embrowning to edges of otherwise fine plates, not affecting images. Front cover of Volume I faded, extremities of spines lightly rubbed. A very attractive copy.