Mary Stewart (Queen of Scots), Limited Edition of 200, 1893, bound by Zaehnsdorf

1893. Folio , (4to) 12½x9½. Limited edition, extra Illustrated, with 61 plates (some sepia-tone), 3 are hand-colored (including frontispiece), with tissue-guards; also 14 small illustrations within the text and decorative initials; mostly photogravures and etchings from drawings and paintings, period full dark blue levant morocco, gilt-stamped armorial vignette surrounded by four crowned capital M's on the front cover, raised bands, inner gilt dentelles, top edge gilt; bound by Zaehnsdorf in 1896. No. 116 of 200 copies printed on Japanese paper, for distribution in Europe.

About this book

In this beautifully illustrated folio volume, Sir John Skelton chronicles the life of the doomed Mary Queen of Scots, from her royal birth at Linlithgow Palace in 1542 to her execution in the reign of Elizabeth I in 1587.

Sir John Skelton KCB (18 July 1831 – 19 July 1897) was a Scottish lawyer, author and administrator. He is best known for his contributions to The Guardian and Blackwood's Magazine. In 1876 he published his first contribution to the controversy concerning Mary Stuart, entitled 'The Impeachment of Mary Stuart' (Edinburgh, 8vo), in which he espoused the cause of the unfortunate queen. This was followed in 1883 by 'Essays in Romance and Studies from Life;' in 1887–8 by 'Maitland of Lethington and the Scotland of Mary Stuart' (Edinburgh, 8vo), his most elaborate historical work; and in 1893 by 'Mary Stuart' (London, 4to), in all of which he defended Mary against her accusers with ability and careful restraint. (Wikisource)