The Autobiography of Elizabeth Davis, A Balaclava Nurse, Daughter of Dafydd Cadwaladyr
London: Hurst and Blackett, 1857. 1st Edition. 8vo. Very Good. Item #17932
A beautiful 1857 1st edition set finely bound in contemporary three-quarter brown morocco over marbled paper-covered boards.
Two volumes complete. laid in are two items, a contemporary cabinet card of a nurse, Sarah Chapman; and a smaller CDV of a 19th-century nurse, unnamed.
Davis's extensive travels in the employ of a ship captain up the first part of the work. She then went to balaclava as a nurse. Davis was an acquaintance of Lord Raglans, and served with Florence Nightingale whom she preceded at the balaclava hospital. Apparently neither she nor Lord Raglan had much use for Nightingale, and there were many arguments and controversies.
Three-quarter contemporary brown morocco over marbled-paper covered boards. 308 & 298pp. Square tight bindings. Clean interiors. Raised bands to spine with titling and decor in gilt. Outer pages with some light sporadic foxing. Mild edge wear.
Volumes present handsomely in clear archival mylar dust jackets.
Price: $325.00