ROYAL PRESENTATION – NOLHAC, Pierre de. Louis XV et Madame de Pompadour. Paris: Goupil, 1903.

Presentation copy from the Prince and Princess of Wales to Tsar Nicholas II. Inscribed on the front free endpaper: "For dear Nicky from Georgie & May / Xmas 1903." "& May" is in a different hand to the rest of the inscription. George V would succeed his Father Edward VII in 1910. George and Nicholas were linked by family ties, and by a long-standing friendship. However, in 1917, George feared the possibility of a worker's uprising in England and refused to offer Nicholas and his family safe haven.

Quarto (318 x 240mm). Profusely illustrated with etched plates, including in two states, color frontispiece. Full levant blue-gray morocco by Zaehansdorf, richly gilt with the arms of Louis XV on both covers, cornerpieces, wide gilt borders and turn-ins, spine gilt in six compartments with raised bands, top edge gilt, others uncut (mildest sunning to spine, a tiny stain and tinier nicks to upper cover); fleece-lined box (box worn). Provenance: Prince George of Wales, later King George V, 1865-1936; and Princess Mary of Wales, later Queen Mary, 1867-1953 (presentation inscription to:) – Tsar Nicholas II, 1868-1918 (Alexander Palace label in manuscript "A. A-M 5226") – Maggs Brothers, London (description laid-in).