MEMOIRS OF THE MARGRAVINE OF ANSPACH. Written by Herself.
London: Henry Colburn, 1826. 2 vols. Sm 4to. (9.3 in, 23.5 cm). [i-iii] iv-viii, [1] 2-430; [i-iii] iv-vii [blank], [1] 2-406 pp.; frontis. port. Printed in London by S. and B. Bentley.
First edition: Elizabeth Craven, Baroness Craven, later Elizabeth Margravine of Brandenburg-Anspach and Bayreuth (1750-1828) was an author of many genres including poetry, plays, and travel-writing. Horace Walpole admired her early poetry and was a friend. Lady Craven had various plays performed to benefit the poor. In defiance of social class, she staged a comedy that challenged female stereotypes at Drury Lane and attended it herself. Anspach, often alone, traveled to almost every country in Europe as a guest at the most fashionable courts.
OCLC. Blain et al., Feminist Companion 25. Robinson, Wayward Women 87. DNB. Tan three-quarter calf with burgundy marbled-paper sides, spine elaborately gilt-decorated with red and green morocco compartments lettered in gilt; bound by Tout & Sons. Top edge gilt. Portrait frontispiece of author with tissue guard to each volume. Readership: Pictorial bookplate of Ella Virginia Hobart to each pastedown; lightly penciled notations primarily to preliminary leaves. Spines lightly sunned, vol II lower joints cracked, margins with occasional smudges. Well-preserved, tight, and bright first edition. Very good+. Item #1146
First edition.
Price: $1,000.00