[Rex Whistler. Diana Cooper]
The ex libris bookplate designed by Rex Whistler for Duff and Diana Cooper. Alfred Duff Cooper and Lady Diana Cooper were both friends and patrons of Whistler. They moved in a similar social circle. Whistler's bookplate design for Duff and Diana is packed with a classical and modern mix of elements including a rococo cartouche, bottles of champagne, scrolls, dispatch boxes, a trailing vine, swags, canopy, and a named bust of Diana as the Huntress with bow and arrows. Whistler wrote 'I hope the bust of you isn't too libellous - it looks haughty but I think busts SHOULD look rather haughty don't you'. The plate was engraved by Robert Osmund in 1931 and was printed in two sizes, this example being from the larger size. There is some discrepancy around the ownership of the bookplate, with some sources citing Duff and others, Diana (including in The Bookplate Designs of Rex Whistler). Ronald Fuller and Laurence Whistler assign it to both Duff and Diana. The design of the plate supports this, with the lower portion filled with elements relating to Duff and the upper portion more reflective of Diana (also including her name). The couple were both well-read and books from their extensive library should be attributed to Diana, as well as Duff.
[Further reading: North Lee, Brian, 'The Bookplate Designs of Rex Whistler', 1973, p. 20, 31; Whistler, Laurence & Ronald Fuller, 'The Work of Rex Whistler', 1960, no. 590]
Rex Whistler. Privately Printed. [August 1931]. Engraved book plate, printed in black. Larger size - 14.3 x 10.1 cm. English. 143 x 101mm. 0.1kg. . Very good; slight waving to surface, light toning and discolouration, very slight abrasions to rear.
