Author: Lieut-General The Hon C. Grey
Title: The Early Years of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort Compiled Under the Direction of Her Majesty the Queen
Description: London, Smith, Elder and Co. 1867. Cloth. A highly sought after example of this biographical work, being signed and dedicated by Queen Victoria in her own hand. Truly a unique piece of history, relating to the life of Prince Albert, containing a scarce example of Queen Victoria's signature. Signed and dedicated to the front blank from Queen Victoria: "To Mssr. White from Victoria R. I. Balmoral, Oct: 1867" Whilst little is known regarding Mssr. White, this is the only known copy to contain the whole dedication written in Queen Victoria's hand, with other copies containing her signature alone, leading us to believe that White had a personal relationship to the Queen. Despite Queen Victoria's long reign, it is extremely unusual to find items signed in her hand which are separate from administrative documents or letters. Queen Victoria did not give her autograph to waiting members of the public, so examples such as this reflect a relationship between the recipient and the monarch. Collated complete with a frontispiece of Prince Albert at aged four, and Prince Albert at aged twenty from a miniature by Sir W. Ross. Half title is present. The fourth edition of the work. First compiled and published the same year under the Queen's direction for private circulation among members of her own family. The fascinating biographical work was commissioned by Queen Victoria and written by British Army officer and private secretary to first Prince Albert and later Queen Victoria, Charles Grey. The work covers the Prince's life from his birth in 1819 to their first year of marriage in 1840. The work was published six year after the death of Prince Albert; Queen Victoria is famed for disappearing from public appearances and entering deep mourning after the death of Albert. A very scarce example of a work signed by Queen Victoria, commissioned by the Queen and relating to the early life of her husband, Prince Albert. In the original burgundy cloth with gilt detail to the spine and boards. Externally sound, with slight bumping to the extremities and the head and tail of the spine resulting in some slight loss to the cloth. Joints strained but sound, resulting in some splitting to the cloth, particularly to the upper extremity of the front board. Slight splitting to the cloth to the spine. Small area of damp staining to front board. The odd mark to the board. Hinges strained. Booksellers label to rear pastedown. Internally generally firmly bound although slightly strained in places. Frontispiece is detached but present. Pages generally bright and clean with the odd spot, slightly heavier to the first and last few pages. Good . Ill.: Sir W. Ross. Good .

Keywords: Queen Victoria Prince Albert Lieut-General The Hon C. Grey Prince Albert Sir W. Ross


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