ORIGINAL ORDER OF SERVICE FOR THE CORONATION OF KING GEORGE IV, THE COPY OF THE CONTEMPORARY HOME SECRETARY, HENRY ADDINGTON, HANDSOMELY BOUND IN ARMORIAL FULL MOROCCO-GILT

(GEORGE IV). The Ceremonies to Be Observed at the Royal Coronation of His Most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth on Thursday the Nineteenth Day of July, MDCCCXXI. London: Samuel and Richard Bentley, 1821. Slim folio (8 by 12-1/2 inches), original gilt-stamped armorial red morocco expertly rebacked to style, watered silk endpapers.

Original order of service for the coronation of King George IV, handsomely bound in full armorial morocco-gilt for Mrs. Newdigate Burne. The copy of 19th-century Home Secretary and Prime Minister Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth—who served at the beginning of George IV's reign—with title page owner inscription and signature.

"After the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815, Great Britain had arguably become the most powerful nation in Europe. Napoleon’s coronation as Emperor of France on 2 December 1804 had been a lavish affair and George was determined that his coronation should outshine that of the deposed emperor. Parliament had voted £100,000 for the costs in 1820, which was supplemented by a further sum of £138,238.0s.2d paid ‘out of Money received from France on Account of pecuniary Indemnity, under Treaty, Anno 1815’, making this the most expensive coronation ever held in Britain costing over £9.5 million in today’s money… One of the most notable aspects of the coronation were the costumes worn by the participants in the procession. George had taken the idea for an ensemble approach to the costumes from Napoleon’s coronation, but looked to an earlier historical source for the designs. Inspiration came from the costumes worn at the Tudor and Stuart courts of the late 16th and 17th centuries… George IV’s coronation robes cost over £24,000—equivalent to £960,000 today" (Brighton Museums). With a laid-in pamphlet featuring the Order of Service for May 31, 1943, the Sunday before Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. This copy belonged to Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, with his ink notation on title page reading: "This copy of the ceremonial was used by Henry, 1st Viscount Sidmouth at the Coronation of George IV." Addington was the prime minister from 1801-04 and the home secretary from 1812-1822 (contemporary with King George IV)—a remarkable 10-year term that remains unmatched. Addington was related to the woman who arranged the binding of this work, Mrs. Newdigate Burne. Partially trimmed inscription featuring date of the coronation written in ink on title page.

A few minor paper repairs including to title page, text trimmed quite closely, foxing to interior, and only slight soiling and light wear to binding. An extremely good copy.