Willoughby, Vera--Vane, Frances Anne, Viscountess

4to, LIMITED TO 550 COPIES, THIS BEING NUMBER 17 OF 20 WITH AN EXTRA SET OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND AN ORIGINAL DRAWING, 36 coloured illustrations by Vera Willoughby, some full-page, with an extra suite of the illustrations bound in, each printed on a separate sheet, and with ONE ORIGINAL DRAWING by Willoughby (at p. 47), blue morocco by Rivière, t.e.g., others uncut, with the original upper wrapper and backstrip bound in at end, spine very slightly faded

Fairfax Rhodes, bookplate

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"[The Memoirs of a Lady of Quality] first appeared as Chapter 88 of Tobias Smollett's novel The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle. Published anonymously, the account none the less left readers in no doubt as to the identity of the ‘lady of quality’, though there was some question as to its authorship. It now seems that the narrative was in fact written by Frances Vane, but revised for publication by Dr John Shebbeare... What contemporaries found so shocking was that Lady Vane, far from trying to preserve a reputation for sexual purity, should instead effectively advertise her adultery." (ODNB).