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, a model miniature royal home designed to show off the best of art, craft and manufacturing. The collection of tiny manuscripts for the doll library was organised by Princess Marie Louise, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, who worked alongside the writer E.V. Lucas.

The poet Robert Bridges (1844–1930) trained and worked as a doctor, but in 1882 a lung condition forced him to retire. He devoted himself instead to literary research and writing poetry. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1913 and held the position until his death in 1930. He was also a member of the Order of Merit.

When first approached to write a little manuscript for the Library of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, Robert Bridges declined, telling the organisers that neither his eyesight nor his handwriting were young enough to complete the miniature task, and that it was better not done at all than done badly. Princess Marie Louise and E.V. Lucas could not have a royal library without a contribution from the Poet Laureate, however, so they persisted, suggesting that Bridges send in a few poems which they could have copied into a little book for him. Bridges was inspired to make another attempt, selecting 22 of his poems and writing out many of them himself. His wife Monica Bridges, an expert calligrapher who had published an influential manual on handwriting, inscribed the rest.

The verses Bridges selected for the Dolls’ House Library were short-line poems taken from his previously published collections, written between 1873 and 1920.

Binding details

Bound in blue-grey goatskin by Sangorski & Sutcliffe with crowned ‘GVR’ monogram for King George V in each corner.