128 pp, 10 1/2" H. Profusely illustrated in b&w and colour with photographs, reproductions, drawings. "(P)rovides a lively picture of contrasting courtly scenes through the ages. It takes us from the paralysingly formal Court of Queen Anne to the outlandish ostentation of fifty years later when the Prince of Wales's dancing feet twinkled with 30,000 Pounds worth of diamonds attached to his shoe buckles. It conjures up the social butterflies of the Victorian age and a young debutante in the 1920's having difficulty tucking the essential three white feathers into her fashionably bobbed hair style. The fairy tale dresses and gold encrusted uniforms described and illustrated in this book have echoed or defied the fashions of the world right up to the present day. The last debutante to be presented at Court left Buckingham Palace in 1958, but in ceremonies such as the State Opening of Parliament courtly costume and tradition still linger with us." Spine is slightly twisted, minor toning on pastedowns. Dust jacket has light wear at bottom of front flap-fold, light edge wrinkling - mainly at top of rear panel, very soft crease down rear panel.