The Story of a Marriage

London: J.M. Dent and Co, 1895. Hardcover. Very Good. J.A. Symington. J.A. Symington. Hardcover. Scarce. A nice association copy, inscribed by the author: "Trix Fleming from her affectionate L. B. November 1900." Louisa Baldwin was one of the four MacDonald sisters, all of whom married notable men. Louisa married industrialist Alfred Baldwin and was the mother of prime minister Stanley Baldwin; Alice, the mother of Rudyard Kipling and Alice "Trix" MacDonald Kipling, married the sculptor Lockwood Kipling; Agnes married artist Edward Poynter; and Georgiana married Edward Burne-Jones. The recipient of this book "Trix" Kipling, later Fleming, was Rudyard's sister and Louisa's niece. This is one of many titles of fiction and poetry written by Louisa, many published with Mrs. Alfred Baldwin as the author.

A poignant and insightful novel on love, marriage, and expectations. It begins with a happy marriage of a young couple. As time passes the man focuses increasingly on work leaving his wife feeling lonely, unhappy, and insecure. The expectations and disappointments of both husband and wife are explored, giving the reader an intimate look at married life during the late 1800s.

Bound in publisher's dark blue cloth with gilt title and author to spine. Bumped, rubbed, light stains, and slightly cocked. Interior pages are very good with typical offsetting to free endpapers. With six illustrations by J. A. Symington. Very good condition despite binding flaws. 317 pages.LIT/033115.