Diaries. [Complete set of first editions in dustwrappers.]. THE CELEBRATED DIARIES COMPLETE IN DUSTWRAPPERS

12 vols., 8vo., First Edition, with portrait frontispieces, the first three volumes with pictorial endpapers, a few tops lightly spotted; cloth, gilt backs, a near fine set in dustwrapper. With their titles borrowed cheekily from Coleridge's 'Kubla Khan', Lees-Milne's diaries are widely recognised as one of the foremost continuous chronicles of England in the twentieth century. The twelve volumes cover the years 1942 to 1997, terminating only shortly before his death. The series as a whole passed through three publishers, the first three volumes by Chatto & Windus, the fourth by Faber (with characteristically non-uniform dustwrapper) and subsequent volumes (unsurprisingly) by John Murray. From 2001 onwards the diaries are edited by Michael Bloch. The series comprises 'Ancestral Voices. [Diaries 1942-1943]' (1975); 'Prophesying Peace: [Diaries 1944-1945]' (1977); 'Caves of Ice. [Diaries 1946-1947]' (1983); 'Midway on the Waves. [Diaries 1948-49]' (1985); 'A Mingled Measure. Diaries 1953-1972' (1994); 'Ancient as the Hills. Diaries 1973-1974' (1997); 'Through Wood and Dale. Diaries 1975-1978' (1998); 'Deep Romantic Chasm. Dairies 1979-1981' (2000); 'Holy Dread. Diaries 1982-1984' (2001); 'Beneath a Waning Moon. Diaries 1985-1987' (2003); 'Ceaseless Turnoil. Diaries 1988-1992 (2004); 'The Milk of Paradise. Diaries 1993-1997' (2005). A SPLENDID SET, RARE IN THIS CONDITION. The earlier volumes are very scarce and all are becoming difficult. It will be hard to rebuild a similar set at this price level.