Douglas (Lord Alfred) Sonnets, first edition, the dedication copy, with signed presentation inscription from the author to his wife Olive Custance "To my darling little girl and Princess I give this book which is dedicated to her & by her chiefly inspired. May, 1909" to front free endpaper, book-labels of Bradley Martin and J. O. Edwards to front pastedown, original boards, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, retaining much of original backstrip, some bumping and wear to corners, rubbing, marking and light wear to covers, preserved in folding chemise and custom morocco-backed slip-case, along with seemingly unpublished photograph of a young Douglas and Custance (a little creased and faded, laid onto card with inscriptions to head and foot, 8vo, The Academy, 1909.

⁂ A remarkable copy of this collection, including some of the author's best poetic output, his "To Olive" sonnets sequence. Douglas' use of "Princess" as a nickname for Custance (and her using "Prince" for him) was well-established; their courtship began with their corresponding in 1901 using these terms, indeed, Douglas uses the term in sonnet III, leaving little doubt that the present volume was intended for the author's wife.