Lives of the Queens of England (1908) I Agnes Strickland I Full Leather Prize Binding, School Crest I George Bell & Sons

A beautifully preserved 1908 abridged edition of Lives of the Queens of England from the Norman Conquest by Agnes Strickland, elegantly bound in full navy leather with elaborate gilt decoration and refined craftsmanship throughout.

The upper board is stamped in gilt with the crest of University of Victoria Grammar School, identifying this as a distinguished Edwardian prize binding. A “Canon Lyre Memorial Prize” bookplate is affixed to the front pastedown, enhancing its scholastic provenance.

The spine features five raised bands with ornate gilt tooling and contrasting blue panels. The binding is further elevated by delicate gilt dentelle detailing along the inner board edges. All edges are beautifully marbled, complementing the marbled endpapers in deep blue, slate, and warm gold tones.

Printed by George Bell & Sons in 1908, this abridged edition presents Strickland’s celebrated biographies of England’s queens from the Norman Conquest onward. The volume includes an engraved frontispiece portrait of Matilda of Flanders.

A handsome and historically resonant volume that blends British royal history with fine Edwardian bookbinding tradition.

Condition: Very Good. Size: 4 3/4” x 7”

A handsome and historically resonant volume that blends British royal history with fine Edwardian bookbinding tradition.

An elegant school prize binding that pairs craftsmanship, provenance, and royal history in one refined volume.