The Eagle and the Dove

London: Michael Joseph , 1947. First edition. Cloth. Very Good/Very Good. 8" by 5.5". Not Stated . The scarce first edition of Vita Sackville West intriguing double biography contrasting the life of saints Teresa of Avila and Thérèse of Lisieux, in the very rare, unclipped dust wrapper. St. Teresa of Avila and St. Thérèse of Lisieux were both Carmelites; both canonised; and shared the same name. However Vita Sackville-West explores their points of contrasts, characteristics that make both women interesting and unique: Teresa of Avila in an aristocratic and intellectual, a humorous Spaniard of the sixteenth century; Thérèse of Lisieux was a guileless and sentimental figure of the French bourgeoise. This is the scarce first edition of this biography, in which the extraordinary rise of the cult of both women is scrutinised by Vita. In the very scarce, unclipped dust wrapper, well-preserved. Illustrated with a frontispiece and four plates. In the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally very smart with minor shelf wear only and a minor damp mark to the front and rear boards. The dust wrapper is smart with some shelf wear and some sunning to the spine, the occasional chipping and a minor loss to the head of the spine; unclipped. Internally, firmly bound. The pages are bright and clean. Illustrated with a frontispiece and four plates. Very Good