The True History of the State Prisoner commonly called the Iron Mask Extracted from Documents in the French Archives

London: John Murray , 1826. First edition. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 8.5" by 5" . None . The uncommon first edition of this sweeping study of the famous 'Iron Mask' prisoner by George A. Ellis, rebound in an attractive modern half morocco biding. The first edition of this work. A detailed study of the enigmatic man who spent many decades confined to the Bastille and other prisons around France and the Fortress of Pignerol in modern Italy. George Agar Ellis attempts to trace the history of the man whose crimes and identity have appealed the interest of many people in time. Extracted from documents in the French archives which provide much insight into the oppressive reign of Louis XIV.Debate among historians concerning the identity of the Iron Man remains alive. He died in 1703 under the name of Marchioly. Most of what is known is based on correspondence between Saint-Mars, jailer who kept the iron man in custody for thirty-four years, and his superiors, reported in the present volume. In the present volume Agar-Ellis concludes the identity to be that of Italian count Ercole Matthiole, who arrested for treason after selling state secrets. The book was an important source for Alexandre Dumas' final instalment of the D'Artagnan saga.  Rebound in a charming half morocco binding. With twelve leaves of advertisements. Rebound in a half morocco binding over marbled boards, new endpapers, titles on red morocco label to the spine. Externally lovely. Internally, firmly bound. Minor closed tear to the inner gutter of p. 3 of the advertisements. Minor odd spotting to the odd leaf, otherwise the pages are generally very clean and bright throughout. Very Good Indeed