Memorial of HRH Albert Prince of Wales and HRH Alexandra Princess of Denmark
London: Day and Son, [1863]. First edition of "one of the finest chromolithograph folios of the 'sixties" (Ruari McLean, Victorian Book Design). Chromolithographic title-page and forty-two chromolithographic plates( numbered 1-33, 33 a 34-41), wood- engraved dedication and illustrations in the text. Top corners worn. A little light foxing, mostly marginal. A very good, bright copy of this grand work, celebrating the wedding of Queen Victoria's son and introducing his bride to the British public. Publisher's red cloth over beveled boards. Elaborately decorated in gilt and blind, with the initials "R.D." (Robert Dudley) below the title on the front cover. All edges gilt. Folio. . [8], 122, xviii pp. Item #16029
The author is British-Irish journalist W. H. Russell (1820-1907), who reported for The Times and is considered to have been one of the first modern war correspondents. Here, he describes Alexandra's upbringing, education, interests and trousseau. Robert Dudley (fl. 1858-93) illustrates the proceedings of the wedding, including the arrival of the Princess at Gravesend and the fabulous wedding gifts. Dudley and Russell also collaborated on The Atlantic Telegraph, published by Day and son in 1866. It is an eye-witness account of the laying of the first Atlantic cable by the Great Eastern.
This is quite a scarce book. OCLC records only three copies in North America—at the Huntington Library, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Defense University Library. King, Victorian Decorated Trade Bindings, 40.
Price: $3,000.00