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The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe

Creator: Daniel DeFoe
Offered by: The Great Republic

Description
Defoe, Daniel. The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: Who lived eight & twenty years all alone in an un-inhabited Island on the Coast of America, near the Mouth of the Great River of Oroonoque; Having been cast on Shore by Shipwreck, wherein all the Men perished but himself. With An Account how he was at last as strangely deliver’d by Pyrates. Written by himself. Vol I. [With:] The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe; being The Second and Last Part of his Life, And of the Strange Surprizing Account of his Travels Round three parts of the Globe. Written by Himself. Vol II. [With:] George Chalmer's "Life of Daniel Defoe". London: John Stockdale, 1790. First (Thus) Edition. Two Volumes, Octavo. Illustrated with engraved frontispieces, vignette title pages, and full-page illustrations by Thomas Stothard, engraved by Meland. Rebound in full calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, blind embossing to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, and a new archival slipcase.

Presented is the first (thus) edition of John Stockdale’s 1790 edition of Daniel Defoe’s classic tale of adventure, The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. This two volume edition is beautifully illustrated with engraved frontispieces, vignette title pages, and twelve full-page illustrations by Thomas Stothard and engraved by Meland. It is presented here rebound in full brown and tan calf, with intricate blind embossing to the front and back panels, raised bands, gilt tooling and gilt titles to the spine.

Defoe’s first long work of fiction, The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe introduced two of the most-enduring characters in English literature, Robinson Crusoe and Friday. Defoe based part of Robinson Crusoe on the real-life experiences of Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor who lived on a remote island from 1704 to 1709, yet Defoe extended well beyond Selkirk’s story, weaving in tales of piracy, slavery, religion, adventure, and exploration. In his writing, Defoe blended the traditions of travel literature and adventure stories with fables, allegory, and even memoir, creating a writing style all his own.

The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was originally published in London on April 25, 1719 in an edition of only 1,000 copies. Robinson Crusoe was a popular success in Britain, and it went through four editions in the months after its first publication. Translations were quickly published on the European continent, and Defoe wrote a sequel, The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, that was also published that same year, in August of 1719.

John Stockdale’s later 1790 two-volume edition of Crusoe “was an important contribution to the life of Defoe’s book. The handsome set restored the Crusoe text, which, by 1790, had been much abused. George Chalmer’s Life of Defoe was the first significant biography of Defoe. Thomas Stothard[’s]… extensive and beautiful illustrations made Stockdale’s the first edition so finely decorated” (Lovett 89).

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Two Volumes, Octavo. Beautifully rebound in full brown and tan calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, blind embossing to the front and rear panels, and a new archival slipcase. New marbled endpapers. Illustrated with engraved frontispieces, vignette title pages, and twelve full-page illustrations by Thomas Stothard, engraved by Meland. Paper is healthy, with only light toning and occasional spotting or stains, as to be expected with age.

Book Dimensions: Vol I: 9 1/2"H x 6 1/4"W x 1 5/8"D. Vol II: 9 5/8"H x 6 3/8"W x 1 3/8"D. Slipcase Dimensions: 10"H x 6 1/2"W x 3 1/2"D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.