The Croker Papers, 1808-1857

278pp, illustrated with black and white plates. In grey cloth-covered boards with gilt lettering on spine (boards are clean, strong and square; just gently rounded at spine ends). Internally neat, clean and bright. Firmly bound. In its original dust jacket (discoloured, paper scuff affecting title on front, lightly chipped around spine and edges). The Croker papers would be of supreme interest if all they contained were a record of the sayings and opinions of Croker’s intimate friend, the Duke of Wellington. In fact the papers offer much more. First published in 1884 these papers give an insight into political happenings, behind-the-scenes discussions and the gossip of the first half of the nineteenth century viewed from the standpoint of a leading figure of the Tory party.