Dirk Bogarde — Three First Edition Works by Dirk Bogarde

London, Chatto & Windus; Viking, 1977-97. First edition. Cloth. A fine set of first edition volumes by Dirk Bogarde, including his first memoir and his final novel, all in the original unclipped dustwrappers. A lovely set of three first edition first impression works by Dirk Bogarde.In the original unclipped dustwrappers.'A Postillion Struck by Lightning', published in 1977, this is his first autobiographical volume, looking at his early life as a young actor. Illustrated with a frontispiece, and ten plates. Collated, complete.'Backcloth', published in 1986, an autobiography looking back again at his younger years. Illustrated with six plates. Collated, complete.'Closing Ranks', published in 1997, the final novel by Bogarde.From the library at Julians Park, Hertfordshire, once the library of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie. After being widowed at 25, Audrey married the fabulously wealthy American department store heir, Marshall Field III, later divorcing him and marrying the Honorable Peter Pleydell-Bouverie. In 1940 she bought Julians Park and redesigned the interior. Her library was impressive, with many examples of her own bookbinding.Audrey was an extravagant socialite and renowned beauty, the illegitimate granddaughter of King Edward VII (though she was also rumoured to be his daughter, or the lover of King Edward VIII), featured in the 'Book of Beauty' by Cecil Beaton. She had many high profile friends, such as Winston Churchill, Coco Chanel, Fred Astaire, and Nancy Mitford, a sparkling hostess of the Edwardian period, her hedonistic antics bringing her into the Bright Young Things. In the original publisher's cloth binding, in the original unclipped dustwrappers. Externally, fine. Dustwrappers are very smart with a couple of very light marks. Label to the rear wrap of 'Closing Ranks&apos. Spine of 'Backcloth' is a little sunned. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Near Fine.