V. R. I.: Her Life and Empire
London: Harmsworth Brothers, 1901. First Edition. Hardcover. Memorial biography of Victoria (1819-1901), queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and empress of India. Quarto: xii, 396 pp. with the frontispiece with tissue guard, decorated title page, and a full-page plate, all chromolithographs after illustrations, as well as numerous full-page plates and textual illustrations, all halftones after photographs and illustrations. In the publisher's light blue diagonal fine-ribbed cloth binding, with beveled boards; dark purple-stamped ruled borders, dark purple and gilt-stamped "L"-shaped frame with oak branch, shamrock, rose, thistle, crown, lyre, armorial shield, monogram, and swag decorations, royal crown device, and titling, and gilt-stamped floral ornaments and titling on the front panel; and dark purple-stamped ruled and ornamental head and tail bands, and floral ornament, and gilt-stamped titling on the spine. All edges gilt, with yellow coated endpapers. The contents are clean and bright. Just a hint of toning and wear along the extremities. Quite lovely. Provenance: from the Publishers' Bookbindings collection of Ellen K. Morris and Edward S. Levin. Item #80923
Price: $125.00