16 - ABELL (Lucia Elizabeth)

ABELL (Lucia Elizabeth) London, John Murray, 1845. Recollections of Emperor Napoleon during the first three years of his captivity on the island of St. Helena: including the time he spent at her father’s house, “The Briars.” Small 8vo (18 x 11.4 cm), green percaline, gilt fillet framing on the covers, gilt title in the center of the top cover, blank spine, gilt edges (contemporary binding). Second edition. Lucia Elizabeth Balcombe (1802–1871) was the daughter of William Balcombe, a colonial administrator for the East India Company. At the beginning of his exile on Saint Helena, Napoleon stayed at the Balcombe estate, known as “the Briars,” while Longwood was being restored. During this stay, young Betsy Balcombe, initially frightened by the new occupant, grew close to him and became his friend. She continued to visit him at Longwood until the family’s departure for England in 1818. She married Edward Abell in May 1822. Her book, first published in 1844, was very successful and was published in French in 1898. Autographed copy signed by Elizabeth Abell (Betsy Balcombe): “For dear Lucy with L E Abell’s love fev (?) 5th 1864.” Books signed by Betsy Balcombe are extremely rare. The book’s dedicatee inscribed her name on the inside front cover: “Lucy Eliza Mayel, 15 Montague Place, Bryanston Square.” The binding is slightly worn, with a few loose pages (but not detached). Provenance – Lucy Eliza Mayel (inscription on the second endpaper). – Falconer Bookseller, London.