The Story of San Michele signed by Axel Munthe first edition 1929

MUNTHE, Axel. The Story of San Michele.
 
London, John Murray, 1929.
 
First edition. 8vo. xvi, 530 pp. Publisher’s blue cloth, gilt-ruled borders and gilt angel device to upper cover, spine lettered in gilt. Bookplate of Lord and Lady Gorell to the front pastedown. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper: “With hearty greetings (?) from the author. Welcome to San Michele.” Near fine. Light toning to endpapers, a few faint spots, rough-cut fore-edges as issued; cloth exceptionally clean and bright.
 
Munthe’s autobiographical account of his life and medical practice in Italy, centred on the building of his house at Anacapri, and combining memoir, classical archaeology, animal welfare, and reflections on European society before and after the First World War. A major literary success in its time, and the work on which Munthe’s reputation chiefly rests.
 
A signed first edition, the inscription almost certainly made for Lord and Lady Gorell, whose armorial bookplate is present on the front inside board.