Mary of Burgundy; Or, The Revolt of Ghent. In three volumes

London : Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, 1833. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 7.5" by 5". None. A first edition and complete set of James's historical novel, dating from the 1830s. First Edition. Complete in three volumes. George Payne Rainsford James (August 9 1799 – June 9 1860) was an English novelist and historical writer. He was for many years British Consul at various places in the United States and on the Continent. He held the honorary office of British Historiographer Royal during the last years of William IV's reign. In 1825 he wrote his first, and probably his best known novel Richilieu, which wasn't published until 1829. After reading Richilieu, and receiving a letter from James, Walter Scott advised him to take up literature as a profession. He was also given encouragement by Washington Irving. He was appointed Historiographer Royal during the last years of William IV's reign, and published several official pamphlets. In 1842 he lived at Walmer and was frequently a guest of the Duke of Wellington at Walmer Castle. In 1845 he went to Germany, partly for recreation and partly to gather material for his writings. On his return to England he lived for some time in Farnham, Surrey. In half calf bindings with marbled boards. Externally, sound with some rubbing to the extremities. Chipping to several of the spine labels. Internally, firmly bound. Some foxing to the endpapers but otherwise generally clean. Slight marginal tidemarks to the first few pages of volume II. Copperplate ink signatures to titlepages. Very Good