Melodies and Memories (The Autobiography of Nellie Melba)

xvi, 254pp, with a central section of monochrome plate illustrations.  Red cloth-covered boards, gilt titles on spine.  Red endpapers.  8vo.  Cloth a little pushed at spine ends else neat, clean, bright and tight throughout.  In its original dust wrapper, lightly bumped on extreme edges. The edited autobiography of Nellie Melba (1861-1931), the Australian opera singer, one of the most famous performers of the late Victorian era and the first Australian to gain international recognition as a classical musician.  As a performer, teacher and fundraiser for war charities during the first world war, she established herself in the hearts of the English speaking world and continued to sing and give concerts until the last months of her life.  She features on the Australian $100 note.