'Minerva of the North'. The first edition in English of Lacombe's (1724-1811) History of Christina, Queen of Sweden, an early biography of this 'queen without a realm, a Christian without faith, and a woman without shame' (Pope Alexander VII).

Widely regarded as one of the most educated women of her age, Christina was crowned at the tender age of six, but abdicated the throne in 1654, aged 27, declaring herself unwilling to marry and provide an heir. Her intellectual curiosity, patronage of the arts, and advocacy for the rights of women is today widely celebrated, but in her life brought her many enemies and occasioned the ire of the church to which she had converted.

A scarce account. ESTC records only five copies at institutions in the British Isles.

First edition in English; 12mo (17.5 x 11 cm); woodcut device to title, ownership inscription in pen to front free endpaper recto; contemporary tan calf, panels ruled in gilt, contrasting morocco lettering-piece to spine, wear with loss to spine caps, corners slightly bumped, joints cracked but holding, otherwise a handsome copy, and internally crisp and clean; [2], vi, 302pp.

ESTC T110827.