Queen Mary, A Drama by Alfred Tennyson 1875 Occult Provenance
Queen Mary, A Drama by Alfred Tennyson 1875 Occult Provenance
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Queen Mary, A Drama by Alfred Tennyson. Henry S. King & Co.; London; 1875.
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Provenance:
Ex Libris bookplate of Mary Hunter, Hill Hall, Theydon Mount; With the inscription "Mrs Hunter's Room, Case I. A" on preliminary.
Mary Hunter (1856-1933) was a well known socialite and hostess. Mary was married to Charles Hunter, a Northumbrian coal-owner. She was the patron and friend of many musicians, writers, and artists; including Monet, Auguste Rodin, and John Singer Sargent. Some of Mary's collection of artwork was given to the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum. Mary met Isabella Steward Garden and exchanged letters (two correspondences can be viewed on the museum's website).
Hill Hall in Theydon Mount, Epping is an Elizabethan mansion built by Sir Thomas Smith with early Renaissance architectural details. During WWII the building was used to house prisoners of war and for the relocation of pregnant women from London (many of which gave birth in the house). Later the house became a women's prison until 1969. And finally, the house became the possession of the Heritage Trust and is used as private accommodation and for public tours.
There are some local legends associated with the house. One story goes that seven brothers duelled with their sister's suitor. One by one they fought, and each brother died at the hand of the suitor. The sister was so distraught that she took her own life afterwards, and her spirit is said to haunt Hill Hall. There are also some other stories that are told, including a story of spectral horse and carriage, and that of a phantom black dog.
This book has come from what is considered by many to be one of the most haunted houses in England.
Size: 120 x 175 x 20 mm (approx.)
Condition:
Spine is a darker shade than the boards, with superficial scratches and rubbing. Tooled label lacking, or complete loss of gilt of the title on spine. Both boards attached with rubbed joints, front hinge cracked, and minor wear to rear hinge. Boards with very minor scuffing, superficial scratches, and minor rubbing. Shelf and edge wear. Dulling to page edges. Bookplate attached to front pastedown. Pencil inscription on the reverso of ffep. Text block extremely clean with light toning which is more prominent around the page edges.