MARIE, Queen of Romania (1875–1938). Ode to Roumania. Paris: Marie Jonnesco, April 1923. Deluxe edition, no. 83 of 100.

Rare work documenting Romanian sacred treasures, with text by the last Queen consort of Romania. Born in Romania in 1926, Mica Ertegun dedicated her life to her creative work in the realm of interior design as well as to many vital philanthropic endeavours – from founding Ertegun House at the University of Oxford to restoring the holiest site in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The present 1923 plate book documents many sacred treasures from Romania, and includes an ode written by the last queen consort of Romania, Marie (1875–1938). Queen Marie, a grandchild of Queen Victoria’s, was celebrated in Romania and abroad for her charity as well as her creativity, contributing to the world of art and culture through her many literary works. That this rare volume preserving Queen Marie’s Ode to Roumania and relics of the kingdom’s long history found its way into the collection of Mrs Ertegun is emblematic of her own dual persona as a creative force and a champion of numerous charitable campaigns.

Folio (260 × 450 mm). Half-title, 60 photogravure plates comprising full-page frontispiece portrait of King Ferdinand and two of Queen Marie plus 57 plates of Romanian treasures (offsetting and occasional stains). Full gilt-ruled calf with gilt armorial achievement of the Romanian royal family on upper board (some wear to edges and spine). Provenance: early 20th-century bookplate reading ‘Ademi fortunae caecitatem | Aloisi Ex Libris’.