Anne Parsons, Countess of Rosse, (nee Messel, previously Armstrong-Jones) 1902-1992
An interesting archive of material that interweaves the life of the Countess (mother of Tony Armstrong-Jones, Lord Snowdon) with Womersley Hall and the Parsons and Gladstone families. Comprising:
Womersley Hall Visitors Book - guests' signature from 1940 to 1988, with Anne Messel a regular visitor. Other visitors include, Tony Armstrong Jones (Lord Snowdon), Princess Margaret (several visits), John Betjeman, Sir Patrick Moore (including his attendence at the opening of the Rosse Observatory), various aristocracy including Barons Derwent and Howard de Walden. Approx 75 pages, all edges gilt, full morocco binding;
Womersley Park Visitors Book - guests' signatures from 1908 to 1921, including the Earl of Rosse and other Parsons family members, Lord Dunalley, Lord Hawke, etc., approx 60 pages, vellum covers;
Womersley Park Game Register - Manuscript record of game shot on the Wormersley Estate, 1898 to 1921 with later entry for 1940. Predominantly Pheasants, Partridges, Hares and Rabbits with a few Woodcock, Snipe and Duck. Shooting guests are named. Approx 142 pages, oblong quarto game register, all edges gilt, worn morocco covers.
Gladstone (M[argaret] B[etty]), A superb scrapbook recording family events and gatherings, visits to other families, balls, parties etc., commencing with The Coming of Age Fete of William G.C. Gladstone at Hawarden Park, with family and guest signatures on Hawarden Castle and Rectory headed papers. Places visited included Bowden Park, Wyck, Womersley Park, Caldwell Hall, Braxted, Langlebury Hall, Sandling Park, Glenfarquhar, Ruthin, Castle Bernard and Birr. As well as signatures of guests, the album is very well illustrated with photographs and original artwork. There is also a photograph, with press cuttings, of her marriage to Geoffrey Lawrence Parsons, younger son of the Earl of Rosse. 65 pages followed by blanks, all edges gilt, initial morocco binding;
Anne, Countess of Rosse 1902-1992, [Funeral] address given by John Cornforth on the 9th July, 1992, 5 pages, card covers. Related letter from Lord Snowden, printed with manuscript addressee, loosely inserted;
Betjeman (John), A Nip in the Air, John Murray, 1974, first edition, inscribed 'Lois with Love from Joan and John', soiled cloth. Funeral service for Frances Lois, Viscountess de Vesci at Womersley loosely inserted. [Her first marriage was to William Edward Parsons].
Order of Service of Thanksgiving for the First Earl of Snowdon at Westminster Abbey, 2017, card wraps.
[Anne Parsons was a founder of the Victorian Society together with John Betjeman] (7)