Leicester Square: Its Associates and its Worthies

London: Bickers and Son, 1874. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 8" by 5.5". Not Stated. A fascinating first edition study of the great men and historical figures associated with Leicester square. Illustrated throughout. The first edition of this work from English dramatist, biographer and editor of 'Punch' magazine, Tom Taylor.A fascinating study of the history of London's Leicester square and the great men and public figures associated with it. In his preliminary remarks, Taylor explains 'the memory of these men in connection with the Square, to which public attention has lately been called by the recent embellishment of its enclosure, and the dedication of it to the public'.Illustrated with sixteen plates, including three folding plates and seven Woodburytype photographic plates. Collated, complete. From the library of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie, an extravagant socialite and renowned beauty of the Edwardian period. Impeccably connected, Pleydell-Bouverie was also the illegitimate granddaughter of King Edward VII, and rumoured to be a lover of King Edward VIII. A sparkling figure of fashionable society, her friends included Nancy Mitford, Coco Chanel, Winston Churchill, and Fred Astaire. This work is from the sale of Pleydell-Bouverie"s library at Julians Park, Hertfordshire. She purchased the home in 1940, redesigning the interior and amassing an impressive library, featuring many examples of her own bookbinding.With the small ex libris plate of Harold E. Matthews to a front endpaper.With a four plate publisher's catalogue to the rear. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Bumping to back strip head and tail, with bright boards and light discolouration to back strip. Front and rear hinges starting, with boards holding firm. Ex libris plate to front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good