PIRATES AT PLAY - Inscribed by Violet Trefusis to Elsa Schiaparelli

London: Michael Joseph, 1950. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Dust Jacket Included. 1st Edition. Hardcover. First Edition PIRATES AT PLAY Third Impression in the publisher's orange cloth, gilt titles to the spine. The cloth is aged as seen. The boards are cocked and worn. A few minor notations. This book is not in the best condition but very unique.
What makes this edition interesting is the inscription and that this book was donated to the American Library of Paris by Madame Schiaparelli in 1961 and later removed. The Library label and the original dealer label are still intact. In the back is the original library label. 8vo. 232 pp.

The book is inscribed by Violet Trefusis to the fashion icon Elsa Schiaparelli who was an Italian fashion designer renowned for her innovative and surrealist designs that revolutionized the fashion industry in the early 20th century by creating the house of Schiaparelli in Paris in 1927. Schiaparelli was often seen as a rival to Coco Chanel. While Chanel focused on timeless elegance and simplicity, Schiaparelli embraced bold, avant-garde designs such as the infamous Lobster Gown she collaborated on with Dali.

"For Elsa
these bourgeois Borgias
Violet (tr) (te)
20"Juin 1952"

Elsa Schiaparelli was a friend of Violet and was a frequent visitor at the Mediaeval tower in Saint Loup de Naud, a village at eighty kilometres from Paris, owned by Trefusis. According to her website..."..The wonderful place soon becomes a "must" for Tout-Paris: it is converted into a cultural salon attended by writers, ambassadors and politicians (P. Reynaud, C. de Gaulle, G. Palewski, F. Mitterrand), aristocrats, musicians, painters, fashion designers (C. Dior, E.Schiaparelli, P.Balmain), actors, artists, philosophers (Gabriel Marcel) and historian (J.Chastenet, Georges Lefebvre.)"

TREFUSIS, Violet. (1893-1972) was a British socialite, author, and member of the Bloomsbury Group, best known for her romantic relationship with the writer Vita Sackville-West which is legendary and her connections with prominent literary and artistic figures of her time.
Of interest. Violet Trefusis was the daughter of Alice Frederica Keppel, who was a prominent mistress of King Edward VII. Additionally, Violet Trefusis's lineage connects her to British royalty through her great-granddaughter, Queen Camilla.

An interesting well-read edition for any library collection.