A "full-bodied and magnificent [historical] novel that does justice to one of the most fascinating heroines of history -- Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland. All the drama, the romance, the intrigue, the rich pageantry of her story have been captured in the pages of this important and enthralling book". {from the front flap of the dust jacket}
This is one of the uncommon Ballantine hardbacks of the 1950s, normally published simultaneously with the paperback edition. However, some Internet sources say the first pb edition wasn't published by Ballantine until 1962. My two paperback price guides omit the title entirely. So this may be the 2nd printing of the only true first of the title. It also appears to be the only hardback edition that has been published. 591 pages.
Cover corners show only the slightest wear; spine ends have some wrinkling, several pages show a tiny upper edge bump and there is a darkened area on pages 352-53 from a newspaper clipping left there for a number of years. Otherwise, a securely bound copy with no writing, markings or creasing (except mildly on some page edges). The jacket has some edge wear (including a 1" tear at bottom front), wear along spine (including tiny hole), modest chipping on spine & fold ends, moderate fading on spine. The flaps are unclipped, showing original price of $5.00.
Scarce title in the dust jacket.