Daphne du Maurier – Vanishing Cornwall – First US Edition 1967 – Inscribed to Maureen and Monty Baker-Munton — Additionally Signed by Christian Browning

A first American edition, first printing, published by Doubleday & Company in New York, 1967. A very good book in the original blue cloth, with some fading to the extremities, in a very good dust wrapper with rubbing, creasing and small tears to the edges and spine tips – three tape marks to the edges. Illustrated with photographs by Christian Browning.

INSCRIBED by Daphne du Maurier to her close friends Maureen and Monty (“Bim”) Baker-Munton and their son Kristen, “To Maureen, Bim, and Kristen with love from Bing”, dated August 1967. Additionally signed “Daphne du Maurier” to the title page, which also bears Christian Browning’s signature and affectionate inscription, “All my love Kits”.

An excellent association copy. Maureen Baker-Munton served as personal assistant to du Maurier’s husband, Lieutenant-General Frederick Browning, and as part-time secretary to Daphne, becoming a close friend and confidante. The families’ enduring friendship is extensively represented in the Baker-Munton papers held at the University of Exeter

Monty later became du Maurier’s joint literary executor alongside Christian Browning, giving particular significance to the presence of both contributors’ inscriptions in this family copy. Their use of the familiar names “Bing”, “Bim” and “Kits” reflects the intimacy of the association.

Du Maurier’s personal portrait of Cornwall, exploring the landscape, history and traditions of the county that shaped so much of her writing.