[Embroidered Binding | Ellen Evershed] Memoirs of Marie Antoinette

Madame Campan. Memoirs of Marie Antoinette. London: Hutchinson & Co., 1906. Bound in a stunning, finely hand-embroidered binding, with cream silk moiré covers affixed to the original cloth, and the front cover featuring a design of twelve floral bunches of various shapes and sizes, with blue and purple flowers and leaves in various shades of green, intertwined with lavender thread and a gold bullion-wire embroidered monogram of Marie Antoinette's initials entwined in the center. Measures approx. 5" x 7.25". Some light foxing to page edges and a few minor spots to binding. 

The front pastedown includes a card that notes:

"The embroidery on the cover of this book was taken from a small piece of work actually done by Marie Antoinette, design and colours are faithfully copied by Ellen Evershed, 59 South Molton St, London W". There is also a small label affixed inside the back cover, reading: "Mrs EVERSHED, 59 SOUTH MOLTON ST, LONDON, W. / CHURCH & SECULAR NEEDLEWORK / All kinds of work mounted".

Among other period mentions, Mrs. Evershed is prominently featured in "The Revival of Art Needlework and Embroidery" (Davson), noting her as "the well-known embroideress" (with the other primary example being the work done at The Royal School of Art Needlework).

A superb example of an early 20th century Arts & Crafts-era embroidered binding, and exceedingly rare to find one in this type of condition.