The Death-Bed Confessions of the Late Countess of Guernsey, to Lady Anne Hamilton: Developing a Series of Mysterious Transactions Connected with the Most Illustrious Personages in the Kingdom

London: s.n., 1822. Title continued: "To which are added, The Queen's Last Letter to the King, Written a few days before her majesty's death, and other Authentic Documents, never before published." 132 p.; 16 cm. Lacking binding. Purports to be the confession of the Countess of Guernsey (1753-1821), who takes the blame for the scandalously poor relationship between Queen Caroline and King George IV. Variously attributed to: Lady Anne Hamilton (1766-1846); Olivia Serres aka Princess Alive of Cumberland (1772-1834); Hamilton and Serres together; and Shakespeare forger William Henry Ireland (1777-1835). Whoever the author was, it inspired Edgar Allen Poe's "The Purloined Letter." Scarce. In Fair Condition: lacking lower part of title page, with loss of imprint except for th "L" from London, and lacking upper corner, without loss of text; closed 7-cm. tear in title page; pages are brown and slightly stained; complete. Fair. Item #006860

Price: $65.00