1869 Early Years of Prince Consort Albert By C Grey Both Plates Gilt Cloth
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
 
The Early Years of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort 1819–1841
Compiled under the direction of Her Majesty the Queen
By Lieut-General The Hon. C. Grey
Published by Smith, Elder & Co., London, 1869
Printed by Smith, Elder & Co., Old Bailey, London
With two engraved plates by William Holl after Döll and Sir William Ross, each with original tissue guards.
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
 
This work occupies a unique place in Victorian royal literature. Originally compiled for private circulation within the Royal Family, it was later released publicly to prevent unauthorised and distorted publication. The volume documents the formative years of Prince Albert, offering intimate insight into his education, character, and early development before his role beside Queen Victoria.
Issued under royal authority, it reflects both Victorian reverence for Albert and the growing culture of public monarchy. It is both a historical biography and a document of royal image-making in the mid-19th century.
 
About the Author
 
Lieut-General Charles Grey (1804–1870) was a soldier, courtier, and close associate of the royal household. His access to first-hand materials and royal direction makes this one of the most authoritative early biographies of Prince Albert.
 
About the Illustrations
 
• Frontispiece: Prince Albert at age four, from a picture by Döll, engraved by William Holl (with tissue guard).
• Plate facing p.227: Prince Albert at age twenty, from a miniature by Sir William Ross, engraved by William Holl (with tissue guard).
Both plates are present and complete, as per the binder’s directions.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
 
Bound in original green cloth with gilt borders, gilt spine title, bevelled edges, and blind-stamped decorative panels to boards. The binding is intact and attractive, with only light wear: small marks, faint scratches, slight corner rubbing, and gentle edge wear. Strong shelf presence.
 
Interior Condition
 
Coloured endpapers. Pages lightly tanned with very occasional light foxing, slightly heavier to the title and frontispiece only. Some edges roughly cut as issued. Text is clean and crisp.
Notable provenance inscription on half-title:
“M. (or R.) Hough, Prestwich, To A. E. Crosby, Nov. 24th, 1922, Welbourn.”
This links to Anne Elizabeth Crosby (née Pawson) of Welbourn, Lincolnshire, whose life is traceable through census and civil records. Minor pencil remnants and a binder’s ticket at rear: Bound by Burn & Co., Kirby Street, E.C.
All pages secure. Only very light, minimal gutter cracks in two places.
 
Physical Details
 
• Collation: xxviii + 402 pages, complete
• Plates: 2 engraved portraits with tissue guards
• Dimensions: approx. 19.7 × 13.5 × 4 cm
• Weight: approx. 770 g
 
Rarity & Collector Notes
 
This is an important Victorian royal biography, notable for its royal provenance of authorship, early private circulation origins, and quality production by Smith, Elder & Co. Copies in this condition with both plates and tissue guards present are increasingly uncommon.
 
Provenance

The half-title bears a gift inscription dated 24 November 1922:
“M. (or R.) Hough, Prestwich, To A. E. Crosby, Welbourn.”
Research likely links this to Anne Elizabeth Crosby (née Pawson), born in Newark in 1865 and resident for much of her life in Welbourn, Lincolnshire. She married Frank Harry Crosby in 1900 and later worked as an assistant to the Post Office. Anne Elizabeth lived until 1950, spanning the late Victorian, Edwardian, and early modern periods.
It is a particularly fitting association. Born during Queen Victoria’s reign, Anne Elizabeth’s life bridged the world shaped by Prince Albert’s ideals and the Britain that emerged after them. Her long life and careful ownership add a quiet continuity to this volume, linking royal history to everyday provincial England. The presence of her name, place, and date gives this book a human story beyond the printed page.