Robson, William. Life of Richelieu. London & New York: George Routledge and Sons, ca. 1880. [12003]
Publisher's red cloth, elaborately decorated in gilt, black, and green. Edge-worn with the bottom joint edge frayed, but not separated. 7 x 5 inches. Contemporary owner's signature & stamps, including an oval name stamp on the tp. Frontispiece and three additional plates by Dalziel. x, 486 clean pp., tight. Good. Hardcover.
The date is taken from the owner's inscription (1887). First published in 1854.
"I had no prejudice against Richelieu before I became thoroughly acquainted with his character; but I flatter myself that every well-toned mind, at the conclusion of the book, will agree with me in pronouncing him more remarkable for his abuses of power than for his ability in obtaining or preserving it." - Preface.
William Robson (1785-1863), British schoolmaster, author, and translator. He wrote several biographies and historical works, and is remembered as the translator of several French works, including Dumas's Three Musketeers.
The illustrator, Thomas Dalziel (1823-1606), the English artist remembered chiefly for his illustrations of the work of Charles Dickens.