Cecil Beaton.
Weidenfeld and Nicolson. London. Wandering Years - 1961; Years Between - 1965; Happy Years - 1972; Strenuous Years - 1973; Restless Years - 1976; Parting Years - 1978. All British editions. All first editions, first impressions. 6 volumes. Cloth-bound hardbacks, dust jackets. 387; 352; 248; 231; 190; 164 pages. All volumes contain hors-texte b&w photographic plates. The Wandering Years contains several line-drawings within the text. English. 220 x 150mm. 3kg. . Near fine; a near fine set of first editions, first impressions with some slight shelf wear, not price-clipped; Wandering Years has a short 3cm tear and a small 1cm area of loss to rear top edge; Years Between has a small 1cm area of loss at head of spine and a short 1m tear to rear top edge, newspaper book review loosely inserted with subsequent offsetting to endpaper; Happy Years has some wear to front lower forecorner and tape to verso of head of spine; Strenuous Years has short 1cm tear to rear lower edge; Restless Years has ink inscription to front free endpaper.
An excellent complete set of Cecil Beaton's Diaries, all with the original dust jackets. Beaton is one of the most important diarists of the twentieth-century. His six diaries span 52 years and include reflections on the most significant cultural events and people of the era. From his youth and ascent into society to his work as a War artist, from his travels across the globe to his relationships with the famous actors, models, designers, artists and personalities, the diaries provide a rich flow of anecdotes, insights and opinions. Beaton's glorious wit and creative flair flow through each page.