The Cloister and the Hearth, a First World War presentation copy inscribed by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George to General and future South African Prime Minister Jan Christian Smuts, and addi

by Charles Reade

$1,200 · Offered by Biblio

Signed

London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1915. Oxford Edition. Hardcover. This First World War presentation copy of The Cloister and The Hearth was gifted by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George to South African General and future Prime Minister Jan Christian Smuts, evidenced by Lloyd George’s signed inscription and a 10 Downing Street presentation letter signed by Lloyd George’s secretary, mistress, and future wife Frances Lloyd Stevenson. Lloyd George’s inked inscription on the front free endpaper recto reads “To recall a memorable journey to Italy Nov. 1917 D Lloyd George”. The typed presentation letter on Lloyd George’s “10 Downing Street” stationery affixed to the front pastedown is dated “27th. November, 1917.” and reads “Dear General Smuts, The Prime Minister promised you this book, and I have much pleasure in sending it to you.” Following the typed valediction “Yours sincerely,” the letter is signed “F. L. Stevenson”. The gifted book, a 1915 Oxford Edition of The Cloister and the Hearth, is in good plus condition. The elaborately blind and gilt decorated red cloth binding remains intact, though with a minor forward lean, sunned spine, blemishes to the lower rear cover, light shelf wear to extremities, and a 1.25 inch (3.2 cm) cosmetic split to the lower front hinge cloth. The contents are respectably clean, the page edges age-toned and lightly soiled. The title of the work is neatly printed in capitals on the lower front free endpaper, below Lloyd Georg

• Publisher: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press
• Year: 1915
• Edition: Oxford Edition
• Binding: hardcover

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