“PORTRAITS OF MARY BERRY AT DIFFERENT AGES… ENABLE US TO REALIZE SOMETHING OF HER PERSONAL CHARM”: RICHLY EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED FIRST EDITION OF THE JOURNALS AND CORRESPONDENCE OF MARY BERRY, BEAUTIFULLY BOUND

(BERRY, Mary) LEWIS, Theresa. Extracts of the Journals and Correspondence of Miss Berry, from the Year 1783 to 1852. London: Longmans, Green, 1865. Three volumes. Thick octavo, early 20th-century full navy crushed morocco gilt, elaborately gilt-decorated spines and covers, raised bands, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $2200.

First edition of extracts from the irrepressible and indefatigable Miss Berry’s journals and correspondence with leading members of English and French society, extra-illustrated with 82 fine engraved portraits and views, 25 vividly hand-colored. Three volumes beautifully bound in full crushed morocco-gilt by Bayntun.

“For an unusually lengthy period of years she formed a center around which beauty, rank, wealth, power, fashion, learning, and science were gathered; merit and distinction of every degree were blended by her hospitality… encouraged by her kindness, and enlivened by her presence.” This selection covers the Berry sisters’ continental tour, their association with Horace Walpole, their friendships among English society, meeting with Napoleon and Marie Antoinette and other members of French society—all of which led to the composition of her most ambitious work, England and France: A Comparative View of the Social Condition of Both Countries (1844). “Portraits of Mary Berry at different ages, from girlhood to 86, enable us to realize something of her personal charm” (DNB)—a number of such portraits are included in this richly extra-illustrated copy. Armorial bookplates.

Fine condition. Beautifully bound and richly extra-illustrated.