Between 1921 and 1924, many of Britain and Ireland's most significant writers contributed handwritten books to the miniature library of Queen Mary's Dolls' House. The collection of tiny manuscripts was organised by Princess Marie Louise, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, and the writer E.V. Lucas.

The Irish cousins Edith Œnone Somerville and Violet Martin wrote 14 books together under the names E.Œ. Somerville and Martin Ross before Violet Martin died in 1915. Thereafter, Somerville continued to produce work under both names, believing she was still in contact with her cousin through the spirit world.

For the miniature library of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, Somerville wrote out, in purple ink, a selection of extracts from her novels Some Experiences of an Irish R.M., The Real Charlotte, Mount Music and In Mr Knox’s Country. She also illustrated them in black ink with sketches of landscapes and a drawing of ‘Slipper’, the Irish R.M.’s drunken groom.

In 1922, when Somerville contributed her miniature manuscript, there was civil war in Ireland. Somerville confided in Princess Marie Louise that she was nervous of sending her manuscript by registered post, at that point, she wrote, the opposite of a safeguard. She asked the Princess to send a card to let her know it had arrived with her safely.

Binding information

Bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe in dark green calf with clover corner-pieces and crowned MR cypher