M. St. Clare Byrne; C. J. Druce — Aldebaran Footsteps & Fantasies

Oxford, B. H. Blackwell, 1917-1919. First edition. Paperback. A pair of very scarce first edition poetry collections, in their original paper wraps. A pair of very scarce first edition poetry volumes. Bound in original paper wraps. Two records of volume one on Jisc, and four of volume two.  Containing poetry by English historical researcher Muriel St. Clare Byrne, who specialised in the Tudor period. Byrne's most prominent work - the Lisle Letters - took decades of her life to complete, and required the careful decoding of handwriting, and informational assistance from the Royal Family. Byrne was also a personal friend of writer Dorothy L. Sayers, and was later a governor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. 'Aldebaran' is named for the red giant star located in the Taurus constellation. Both volumes feature illustrated title pages and frontispieces.   Bound in original paper wraps. Externally, smart. Moderate bumping and sunning to extremities. Moderate age toning and mild chipping to spine labels. Mild tide mark to vol2 rear cover. Mild cockling to front covers. Library bookplates and stamps to front paste downs. Small bookseller stickers to rear paste downs. Mild strain to front hinges. Internally, firmly bound. Pages occasionally unevenly cut. Pages generally bright and clean, with the odd handling mark. Small ink inscriptions to reverse of title pages. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .