Signed book: More Leaves from the Journal of a Life in the Highlands. London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1884. Leather-bound hardcover, 5.75 x 8.25, 407 pages. Signed and inscribed on an opening page in fountain pen to Henry James, 1st Baron James of Hereford, "To Lord James of Hereford, from, Victoria R. I., Balmoral, Oct: 21, 1895.” Autographic condition: very good, with soiling, toning, and heavy foxing to the signed page. Book condition: VG-/None, with cracked hinges and aforementioned foxing to endpapers.
The 1858 publication of Queen Victoria's journals, Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands, from 1848 to 1861, made her a best-selling author almost immediately. Dedicated to her late husband, Victoria's diary entries detail her Highland holidays at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, frequented by the royal family since 1848. Writing of mountain adventures, boating, and other outdoor activities, the Queen portrays an idyllic family life far away from the politics and prying eyes of the London public. Her Highland exploits are supplemented with accounts of travels in England and Ireland and yachting expeditions. As Victoria had retreated from public life following the death of Albert, the publication of her journals gave the public access to their monarch in a different form, and the popularity of this book resulted in the subsequent publication, More Leaves from a Journal of a Life in the Highlands in 1884.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$50.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
