Mary St Leger Kingsley (1852-1931) married Reverend William Harrison in 1876 and was a popular novelist in her day, writing under the nom-de-plume Lucas Malet. She wrote some 17 novels, commencing with Mrs Lorimer. A Study in Black and White (1882), Colonel Enderby's Wife (1885) and The Wages of Sin (1891), considered a major influence on Thomas Hardy's Jude the Obscure. She lived mostly on the continent with the singer Gabrielle Vallings, Mary's second cousin and adopted daughter. Bound in a bespoke Queen Victoria commissioned leather binding in dark brown full morocco by Birdsall and Son, Northampton, covers panelled in gilt with centre scroll with a 'V [&] A' monogram with crown above, enclosed by a foliate wreath, spine with raised bands, lettered in gilt to one compartment, the others decorated in gilt with repeat monograms, metal clasp. A scarce example of this biographical work, being signed and dedicated by Queen Victoria in her own hand to a famous recipient. A unique piece of history, relating to the life of Prince Albert, containing a scarce example of Queen Victoria's signature. The work covers the Prince's life from his birth in 1819 to their first year of marriage in 1840. The work was published six year after the death of Prince Albert; Queen Victoria is famed for disappearing from public appearances and entering deep mourning after the death of Albert. In the original Queen Victoria monogrammed decorative burgundy cloth with gilt detail to the spine and boards. Book is near fine and in lovely condition. Contents very good. A lovely unique example.