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4th Edition 1867. Presentation copy and inscribed by Queen Victoria to the writer of the Water Babies and her Chaplain Charles Kingsley, inscribed 'For the Rev. C. Kingsley, In recollection of the dear Prince, from Victoria, Balmoral Sept. 1867.' Additionally inscribed 'Grenville Arthur Kingsley from mother. Jny[?] 1876', and 'Presented to A. S. Watt by Mary St Leger Harrison, with sincere regard, Christmas 1918.' With a 2-page loosely inserted autograph letter from Mary St Leger Harrison to Alexander Strachan Watt, dated December 1918, presenting the book: 'It would be a great pleasure to me if you would let me add this book to your collection - I know the German name is not one to conjure with at the present time. the book has a certain value & interest as being the gift of the Queen to my father, at a time when his influence with her was considerable.please accept this with my thanks to you for many kindnesses to me during a year of much anxiety and sorrow.' Initially presented by Queen Victoria to the author Charles Kingsley (1819-1875), her chaplain from 1859. Subsequently presented by his wife Frances Eliza Grenville to their son Grenville Arthur Kingsley (1858-1898), and then from daughter Mary St Leger Kingsley to Alexander Strachan Watt. he was the son of Alexander Pollock Watt (1838-1914), founder of the world's first literary agent A. P. Watt & Son in 1875, whose clients included Rudyard Kipling, Arthur Conan Doyle, Henry James, Thomas Hardy, and W. B. Yeats. Mary St Leger Kingsley (1852-1931) married Reverend William Harrison in 1876 and was a popular novelist in her day, writing under the nom-de-plume Lucas Malet. She wrote some 17 novels, commencing with Mrs Lorimer. A Study in Black and White (1882), Colonel Enderby's Wife (1885) and The Wages of Sin (1891), considered a major influence on Thomas Hardy's Jude the Obscure. She lived mostly on the continent with the singer Gabrielle Vallings, Mary's second cousin and adopted daughter. Bound in a bespoke Queen Victoria commissioned leather binding in dark brown full morocco by Birdsall and Son, Northampton, covers panelled in gilt with centre scroll with a 'V [&] A' monogram with crown above, enclosed by a foliate wreath, spine with raised bands, lettered in gilt to one compartment, the others decorated in gilt with repeat monograms, metal clasp. A scarce example of this biographical work, being signed and dedicated by Queen Victoria in her own hand to a famous recipient. A unique piece of history, relating to the life of Prince Albert, containing a scarce example of Queen Victoria's signature. 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. In the original Queen Victoria monogrammed decorative burgundy cloth with gilt detail to the spine and boards. Book is near fine and in lovely condition. Contents very good. A lovely unique example. More images can be taken upon request. Ref 18422.
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