Sold by David Brass Rare Books, Inc., Calabasas, CA, U.S.A.
Association Member:
AbeBooks Seller since February 1, 2007
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
"The Grand Banks - Where Boys Become Men" A Classic of the Sea KIPLING, Rudyard. 'Captains Courageous' A Story of the Grand Banks. With illustrations by I. W. Taber. London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1897. First edition. Small octavo (7 1/4 x 4 3/4 inches; 184 x 121 mm.). viii, 245, [1, blank], [2, advertisements] pp. With twenty-two full-page illustrations by I. W. Taber. Publisher's blue cloth, front cover and spine pictorially decorated in gilt, dark gray coated endpapers, all edges gilt. Minimal rubbing to extremities, small bookseller's description neatly affixed to front paste-down. A touch of very light foxing, otherwise a near fine copy, the notoriously fragile endpapers remarkably fresh and intact. One of Kipling's most enduring and widely read novels, Captains Courageous stands apart within his canon as a pure sea story, drawn from his own experiences aboard fishing vessels off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. First published in 1897, it tells the story of Harvey Cheyne, a spoiled American boy transformed by hardship, discipline, and camaraderie after being swept overboard and rescued by a Gloucester fishing schooner. The novel's vivid depiction of life at sea - its dangers, routines, and moral code - owes much to Kipling's gift for observation and his admiration for working seamen. The result is a narrative at once adventurous and deeply humane, often compared to the great maritime traditions of Dana and Melville, but with a distinctly Kiplingesque emphasis on character and duty. Isaiah West Taber (1830-1912) is a slightly deceptive figure in this context - he was not primarily a book illustrator, but one of the leading American photographers of the late 19th century, based in San Francisco. That explains why the plates in Captains Courageous feel unusually "real": they are derived from photographic studies, not traditional drawn illustration. The publisher's pictorial gilt cloth binding, with its bold maritime design, is particularly attractive and increasingly difficult to find in such well-preserved condition, especially with the delicate coated endpapers intact and the gilt still bright. A handsome and increasingly scarce first edition of one of the great literary evocations of the sea.
Seller Inventory # 06549
We guarantee the condition of every book as it's described on the Abebooks web sites. If you are
dissatisfied with your purchase (Incorrect Book/Not as Described/Damaged) or if the order hasn't
arrived, you're eligible for a refund within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. If you've changed your
mind about a book that you've ordered, please use the Ask bookseller a question link to contact us and
we'll respond within 2 business days.
DELIVERY
We will ship worldwide by FedEx, UPS and US Post. Please ask for details of insurance and freight.
PRICING
All prices are in US dollars. For our overseas customers please email us for a conversion into your currency if needed. Shipping and Insurance will be charged at cost. Payment by MasterCard, Visa, or American Express credit card is acceptable. Checks require ten days to clear.
| Order quantity | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 10.00 | US$ 15.00 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.
