An absolutely beautiful book, in fact, when this first edition of The Reign of Princess Naska was published in 1899 it was described as "the prettiest book of the year". Published by Blackie & Son, London just in time for Christmas that year. In a highly distinctive Talwin Morris binding and richly illustrated throughout. With a bit of wear (detailed below), as would be expected of a book of 124 years old, but remaining a super copy. The Reign of Princess Naska is a children's story, being in the style of a Ruritanian fantasy. Princess Naska becomes the legal sovereign of the small principality of Tsarkovia upon the death of both of her parents. There follows adventures containing a power-seeking dowager Duchess and mistakenly-freed mountain bandits. Inside the book opens onto grey endpapers. Has a prize bookplate on the front free endpaper but no other writing or markings of previous ownership. With the odd spot, handling mark and brown blemish scattered through the text. Has charming black and white illustrations by Paul hardy (see photos). The top closed edge is a little toned. The book has developed a very slight lean over time. Dark blue cloth covered boards have the gorgeous and eye-catching decoration of Talwin Morris from The Glasgow School of Art. With gilt coronets and white cabbage flowers, with thin sage green leaves. The boards have some rounding and rubbing to the cloth at the corners and a mild bump on the rear fore-edge. The rear board has a few light shelf-wear scuffs. The front board is in good condition with just the odd faint mark and slight rubbing to the otherwise bright and shiny gilt. The blue and the decoration on the spine have dulled in comparison to the front but can still be easily discerned. There is some rubbing to the cloth at the spine ends and a small frayed area over the bottom heart coronet. Your antique copy of The Reign of Princess Naska will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE H 19.5 cm x W 14 cm, 208 pages, 0.56 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to). * If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the full protective packaging, please add a note to the order. I post regular news and stock updates on Instagram @bumperboxofdelights