JOSEPHINE, NAPOLEON'S MISTRESS

First edition, first printing, in the second state binding. Original green cloth lettered and ruled in black to spine and front panel, in dustwrapper. With twelve illustrated plates. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the contents, except for a previous owner's signature in ink to the front free endpaper, clean and bright throughout. There is a small breach between page gatherings (pp. 96-7) which doesn't, however, affect the binding which remains sound. The dustwrapper, a touch faded to the spine, a little rubbed to edges and corners, and with a couple of nicks to the head of the spine, is otherwise unusually sharp and well-preserved. Not price-clipped (10/6 net printed to the spine). A lovely copy, uncommon in the dustwrapper. Mark Wilden, in his Forester bibliography, states that the first edition sheets were initially issued in blue-green cloth lettered in gilt, the same sheets later bound in the present (black on green) form. The second of Forester's sporadic works of (non-fiction) history, following 'Napoleon and his Court' published the previous year, 'Josephine' is a characteristically vivid account of the life and loves of the Empress and first wife of Napoleon. (Wilden 4a B2). Further details and images for any of the items listed are available on request. All items are catalogued by humans. Lucius Books welcomes direct contact with our customers.…