Simon-Albert Bussy (1869-1954)

The present work and lot 86 comes from the James and Alix Strachey Trust. James was the younger brother of Lytton Strachey. He was the assistant editor of The Spectator and a member of the Bloomsbury Group, along with his wife Alix, who he met in 1910. The couple married in 1920 and shortly after moved to Vienna, where James became a student of Sigmund Freud. At Freud’s request the couple began translating his works into English, their most well-known being The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, which consists of 24 volumes and to this day still remains the standard edition of Freud's work. They later became practicing analysts and full members of the Psychoanalytical Society.

They bequeathed the work to Lucy Norton, O.B.E., the younger sister of Harry Norton, who was a friend and supporter of Lytton Strachey, who dedicated his book The Eminent Victorians to him.

The Wicked Uncle Strachey depicts James Strachey who, born to Lieutenant General Sir Richard Strachey, aged 70, and Lady (Jane) Strachey, aged 47, was believed to be a miracle child. Considerably older than his nephews and nieces he was called ‘Jembeau’ or ‘Uncle Baby’.