The Last Emperor by Peter Townsend (First Edition with Ex-Libris), 1976 🇨🇳👑📜

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This 1976 First Edition of The Last Emperor is a biography by the noted British author and pilot Peter Townsend. The book is a historical account of the life of King George VI and the end of the British Empire. This volume, with its unique ex-libris sticker, is a sound acquisition for a serious collector of modern history and biographies.

The book offers a personal perspective on a period of immense change for the British monarchy. It is a verifiable artifact from the mid-1970s.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

The Last Emperor is a biography that chronicles the life of King George VI and the decline of the British Empire. Townsend’s narrative offers an intimate and personal portrait of the King, focusing on his character and the pressures he faced as the empire dissolved.

The book is recognized for its honesty and humanity. It provides insight into the human side of a historical figure often defined by the larger events of his time.

3. About the Author ✍️🏛️

Peter Townsend (1914-1995) was a distinguished British Royal Air Force pilot and a courtier to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. He was a decorated hero of the Battle of Britain.

Townsend is known for his personal relationship with Princess Margaret. After leaving royal service, he became a successful writer, publishing several books, including his memoir Earth My Friend and this biography of King George VI.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1976, this book is a document of the mid-1970s and a historical moment for the British Empire. The book's subject reflects a growing global interest in the human side of major historical events and the legacy of the British monarchy.

The book was published during a period when the memory of the British Empire was still fresh. It offers a contemporary, personal perspective on the life of King George VI and the end of British imperial rule.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for a curator of British royal history, a scholar of 20th-century empires, or a private collector of biographies. It is an item for an individual who values a book's historical significance and its documented personal history.

The unique ex-libris sticker makes this a fit for a collection that values the personal story behind an artifact. The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of personal life and world history.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1976 First Edition of The Last Emperor is 49 years old. While not an exceptionally rare book, a well-preserved first printing without a dust jacket is a sound collectible item.

The presence of the ex-libris sticker from a previous owner makes this a unique piece of personal history. The book's value reflects its age, its authenticity, and its unique history.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

• Used First Edition hardcover.

• The binding is in a solid state and the pages are clean.

• The original dust jacket is not present.

• The spine and cover show some wear, which is consistent with a book of this age.

• An ex-libris sticker is on the front endpaper.

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Peter Townsend was famously a decorated Royal Air Force pilot during the Battle of Britain.

• Townsend's personal account of the monarchy was a unique perspective at the time, given his role as a former courtier.

• The book was published by Harper & Row, a major American publisher.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: The Last Emperor

• Author/Maker: Peter Townsend

• Year: 1976

• Publisher/Foundry: Harper & Row

• Place of Origin: New York, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover

• Edition: First Edition

• Rarity: Unique (due to history)

• Transcription of Ex-Libris: “From the Library of James Kelly”