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First impression of the true first edition. Dustwrapper design by Ian Armour-Chelu. ***Near fine in red cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The boards are clean and unmarked, but the top edge of the page block is foxed and stained (please see scans). Head and tail of spine slightly creased. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. No significant bumps or creases. Corners sharp. Internally also near fine, with no inscriptions - just original bookseller's pencil prices - 12/6, 62 1/2p in light pencil at the top corner of the front free endpaper. ***In a near fine, colour illustrated dustwrapper, which is not price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's dual printed price of 28s.0d. / £1.40 net. The dustwrapper is complete - the extremities are just very slightly creased and rubbed. No serious creases, chips or tears. Dustwrapper bright, with the sun-sensitive colours unfaded, even on the spine. ***190 pages including epilogue, plus one page acknowledgment. 216mm x 142mm.
***'When, in 1868, Queen Victoria sets out in a special train from Balmoral to unveil, in Ayrshire, another memorial to her dear departed husband, all seems normal. Even the unwanted display of patriotic fervour at Aberdeen is not unusual. Everything seems normal, too, at Euston station, when the Prince of Wales, acting at the expressed command of his august mother, sets off in his special train, to join her in pious tribute to his father's memory. But two men, one in London and one in Balmoral, have the feeling that all is not well, a feeling inspired by the activities of the Marquis of Hastings, the cutting of the telegraph-wires along the Queen's route and the doping of a sergeant -footman on the Queen's train. ---The elaborate plot, which the author never allows to get out of hand; the absorbing game of chess which he plays with his special trains speeding to save the Queen; and the delightful touches of humour, usually at the expense of the great ones, make this a book which no reader, be he historically minded, train enthusiast, a 'who-dunnit' addict, or just an enjoyer of a good story, will be able to put down until the final act reaches its unexpected climax with a bizarre twist.' (Quote taken from the inner flaps of the dustwrapper.
***A first impression of the true first edition of this royal / railway thriller, in very good condition, in the dustwrapper - as described above. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.
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