Marriage Rites, Customs, and Ceremonies, of the Nations of the Universe

A fascinating early nineteenth century study of marriage rites around the globe, forming an investigation into the legal status of women in ancient and modern times. The very scarce second edition of this work. Far more scarce than the first edition of 1822, this edition curiously does not feature the name of the author to the title page.The author's only published work, the first edition was attributed to Lady Augusta Hamilton, speculated but not proved to be a pseudonym for painter and writer Olivia Serres, known as the imposter who claimed the title of Princess Olive of Cumberland.This fascinating and unusual work examines marriage rites in North America, South America, Massachusetts and New Orleans, concluding that in comparison to in other lands, English women are treated favourably by their native marriage customs. The author identifies that 'the superior force of the male is rather muscular that internal'.With illustrated frontispiece and vignette title page illustration.Tipped in to the title page is a fourteen page pamphlet featuring the introduction to the 1822 edition in facsimile handwriting. Tipped in to page 134 is a newspaper clipping, dated 1899, concerning abuses of marriage laws in Italy.To the front pastedown is the armorial bookplate of John Holden. 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. In a quarter cloth binding, with paper covered board. Rebacked, with original boards retained and contemporary cloth spine label laid down. Spine label detaching to perimeters. Rubbing to boards, with losses to the paper at extremities. Bookplate to front pastedown. Binding significantly strained throughout, and held by cords only in some areas. Preface to 1822 edition tipped in to title page. Newspaper clipping tipped in to page 134. Pages generally bright, with instances of spotting or handling marks throughout. Good Only.