London, Printed for George Kearsly, 1766. . First edition in English; 12mo (17.5 x 11 cm); woodcut device to title, ownership inscription in pen to front free endpaper recto; contemporary tan calf, panels ruled in gilt, contrasting morocco lettering-piece to spine, wear with loss to spine caps, corners slightly bumped, joints cracked but holding, otherwise a handsome copy, and internally crisp and clean; [2], vi, 302pp.
The first edition in English of Lacombe's (1724-1811) History of Christina, Queen of Sweden, an early biography of this 'queen without a realm, a Christian without faith, and a woman without shame' (Pope Alexander VII).

Widely regarded as one of the most educated women of her age, Christina was crowned at the tender age of six, but abdicated the throne in 1654, aged 27, declaring herself unwilling to marry and provide an heir. Her intellectual curiosity, patronage of the arts, and advocacy for the rights of women is today widely celebrated, but in her life brought her many enemies and occasioned the ire of the church to which she had converted.

A scarce account. ESTC records only five copies at institutions in the British Isles.
ESTC T110827.

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Bookseller: Shapero Rare Books (GB)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 110413
Title: The History of Christina, Queen of Sweden.
Author: LACOMBE, Jacques
Book Condition: Used
Place of Publication: London, Printed for George Kearsly, 1766.

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Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

12mo: A duodecimo is a book approximately 7 by 4.5 inches in size, or similar in size to a contemporary mass market paperback. Also...
First Edition: In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
Gilt: The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
Calf: Calf or calf hide is a common form of leather binding. Calf binding is naturally a light brown but there are ways to treat the...
Spine: The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
Device: Especially for older books, a printer's device refers to an identifying mark, also sometimes called a printer's mark, on the...
Morocco: Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...
Crisp: A term often used to indicate a book's new-like condition. Indicates that the hinges are not loosened. A book described as crisp...
Cracked: In reference to a hinge or a book's binding, means that the glue which holds the opposing leaves has allowed them to separate,...