Town & Country: The Queen

A lavish illustrated biography of Queen Elizabeth II and her storied 70-year reign with 300 extraordinary photographs and insightful commentary by royal journalist Victoria Murphy

“...an invaluable photographic tribute to Britain’s longest serving monarch and to her memorable reign.” —Robert Lacey, historian and biographer

After her succession to the throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II became respected, celebrated, and beloved around the world. This ultimate commemorative book for all royal waters captures significance of her magnificent reign, as well as the historical context for the contemporary British monarchy.

This collection of powerful photographs showcases the historic, and intimate moments throughout the Queen’s private and public life. Inside readers will find:  

• Her early years as a young princess including her war years in service  
• Her personal and familial relationships with her husband, Prince Philip; her parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother; her sister Princess Margaret, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren 
• Her approach to the royal succession in her later years, with Prince Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton taking on ever enlarging roles as working royals 
• Her coronation—the first to be televised—and the pomp and pageantry of ceremonial events  
• Her role as a fashion icon with a close look at the stunning Crown Jewels and the Queen’s personal jewelry collection.  

Throughout her rule, with a combination of star power and a profound sense of duty, Queen Elizabeth II steered the British monarchy into the modern era with supreme style and grace. Perfect for fans of The Crown, this elegant tribute which includes burnished gold foil embellishments on the cover, celebrates Britian’s influential leader and longest serving monarch.  

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs