THE STORY OF NELL GWYN: and the Sayings of Charles the Second
London: Bradbury & Evans, 1852. First Edition. Hardcover. One of the first actresses on the English stage, Eleanor Gwyn (1650-1687) became best known for being a long-time mistress of King Charles II. Called "pretty, witty Nell" by Samuel Pepys, she has been regarded as a living embodiment of the spirit of Restoration England and has come to be considered a folk heroine, with a story echoing the rags-to-royalty tale of Cinderella. Octavo: xi, [1], 212, [8, ads] pp. with a frontispiece with tissue guard, a title page vignette, and 1 full-page plate and 3 textual illustrations, all wood engravings. The title page is printed in red and black. In the publisher's vermilion straight morocco-grain cloth binding, with gilt-stamped ruled borders and bands, ruled surround with ciphers of Charles II at the corners, and titling. All edges trimmed, with cream coated endpapers. Just a hint of fading along the spine; else fine. Provenance: from the Publishers' Bookbindings collection of Ellen K. Morris and Edward S. Levin. Fine. Item #79011
Price: $350.00