1894 Queen Victoria's Dolls by Frances Low / First Edition, George Newnes, London / Large Antique Book / Beautifully Illustrated Throughout

A scarce and beautiful copy of Queen Victoria's Dolls by Frances Low. Being a first edition, large-format hardback packed full of delightful colour illustrations. Published by George Newnes, London. Re-backed.

Queen Victoria fully endorsed this publication. As a child she was extremely keen on her dolls which she dressed herself. "The workmanship in the frocks is simply exquisite: tiny ruffles are sewn with fairy stitches; wee pockets on aprons (it must be borne in mind for dolls of five or six inches) are delicately finished off with minute bows - little handkerchiefs not more than half-an-inch square are embroidered with red silk initials, and have drawn borders; there are chatelaines of white and gold beads so small they almost slip out of one's hands in handling; and one is struck afresh by the deftness of finger and unwearied patience that must have been possessed by the youthful fashioner."

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound. Opens onto lovely gilt decorative endpapers. Has an inked inscription at the top of the half-title page, but no other writing or markings of previous ownership. With the occasional faint dark handling mark, but minor. TO NOTE - one page has a closed tear, this has been expertly repaired and is now hard to spot (see photos). There is also a small repair, in the same style, to a small nick in the fore-edge of a latter page. Otherwise all good, with thirty-eight colour illustrations plus several in line plus decorative initials to each section. All edges are gilt.

Blue cloth covered boards are in very good order. With ornate decoration to the front and blind stamping to the back. With just the odd faint scuff, but minor.

Scarce, especially in such good condition. Your antique copy of Queen Victoria's Dolls will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon*, and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift message to the parcel if desired.

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H 29 cm x W 24 cm, 1.2 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK (with the exception exception of a few areas).

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the full protective packaging, please add a note to the order.

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