Ca' Rezzonico

Venice, Italy: Carlo Ferrari, 1936. First Edition. Original Wraps. Very Good in Wraps [Textblock Near Fine].. First Edition. Original Wraps. Text in Italian. Appears to be an exhibition catalogue. A remarkable collection (68 plates) of costume, furniture and paintings. From the library of Susan Mary Alsop. Born Susan Mary Jay in Rome in 1918, she was the daughter of Peter Augustus Jay (and Susan Alexander McCook) and granddaughter of Augustus Jay (and Emily Astor Kane), both statesmen, legates and/or ambassadors (in Europe, Asia and South America). The Jays, a Huguenot family, produced John Jay, co-author of the Federalist Papers, Foreign Secretary and the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Many of the volumes from her library were from that of her father and grandfather and are so inscribed (as noted). Susan Mary [Jay] Alsop, in addition to being one of the great political hostesses in Washington's circles, was an author in her own right, producing a noted biography of Vita Sackville-West's mother, "Lady Sackville" (1978); and also "Yankees at the Court: The First Americans in Paris" (1982), and "The Congress Dances: Vienna 1814-1815" (1984). Wraps show even toning, minor soiling, hint of toning at textblock edges, else tight, bright and unmarred. Beige (darker now) paper wraps, color decorative element (crest) at front. 8vo. 96pp plus 68 np plate pages). Illus. (b/w plates).