First edition. The author’s own copy, specially bound for him by Zaehnsdorf in London, in full burgundy crushed morocco (and with his bookplate). Inner dentelles elaborately gilt, over patterned endpapers.

Small 4to, profusely illustrated in colour and black & white, the original dust jacket bound in at rear. Corners a little bumped, a few scuffs to covers, a near fine copy.

Hibbert paints a fresh and intimate portrait of the queen who shaped a century.