£120
8vo, pp. x, [ii], 223, [1] + Frontispiece. Later green paper-covered boards backed in blue paper, edges untrimmed. Some foxing and soiling. Sometime rebacked, hinges relined with cloth tape, wear to edges of boards. Modern bookplate to front pastedown.
William Henry Ireland (1775-1835) gained fame then notoriety in the late 18th century with his forgeries of Shakespearean handwriting and documents, culminating in an entire play, Vortigern and Rowena, produced in 1796. His forgeries could not withstand the extra scrutiny that a performance in London brought. In this volume Ireland turns his hand to forgery of 16th century French material. These love letters from Pierre de Bocosel de Chastelard to Mary, Queen of Scots are entirely his invention, first appearing in 1805, with this second edition having 5 holdings listed in COPAC.
