Fonteyn (Margot).- Lee-Elliott (Theyre) And for Margot, 42pp. excluding blanks, title and headings in collage, comic text in manuscript, 13 hand-painted illustrations, body colour, light crease to lower blank corner, some light toning or offsetting, manuscript note signed from Belinda Theyre Kennedy to Margot Fonteyn laid down to pastedown, dated 27th May 1990, original spiral-bound decorative paper-covered boards, printed label "by Theyre" to upper cover, fading to foot of lower cover, few small marks, paper slightly peeling away from foot of covers, upper joint with very small loss to head and starting to split but holding, 16mo (155 x 105mm.), [mid 20th century].

⁂ This unique, charming sketch book was hand-made by the artist Theyre Lee-Elliott (1903-88) for Dame Margot Fonteyn. The illustrations and accompanying rhymes include a penguin, a tiger, a kangaroo, a man riding an elephant and Hitler spitting into a bucket. The manuscript note laid down to the pastedown reads "We found this little booklet, made for you in earlier days by Theyre at the time of your friendship, and thought it might amuse you now. Perhaps you would accept it as a belated thank you for the magical 'Ondine' I saw with Theyre - as your guests - 30 years ago: - as a gauche teenager I don't think I found the right words then! Belinda Theyre Kennedy (Theyre's eldest niece)".

Provenance: Purchased by the vendor at the sale of Margot Fonteyn's Private Library for Macmillan Cancer Relief, Royal Horticultural Society's New Hall, Tuesday 10th November 1998.