THE LAND OF FIRE: A Tale of Adventure

London: Frederick Warne and Co.. Presumed First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Thomas Mayne Reid (April 4, 1818 – October 22, 1883), was a Scots-Irish American novelist. "Captain" Reid wrote many adventure novels in the same vein as those written by Frederick Marryat and Robert Louis Stevenson. He was a great admirer of Lord Byron. His novels contain action that takes place primarily in untamed settings: the American West, Mexico, South Africa, the Himalayas, and Jamaica. Books such as the Young Voyagers had great popularity, especially with boys. He was also very popular around the world; his tales of the American West captivated children everywhere, including Europe and Russia. In his autobiography, United States President Teddy Roosevelt credits Mayne Reid with being a major early inspiration. Some say Reid's adventure books for boys may be the inspiration for the United States' national park expansions which occurred under T. Roosevelt's two terms in office. Russell Miller, in his biography of Arthur Conan Doyle, credits Reid as being one of Conan Doyle's favorite childhood authors and a great influence on Conan Doyle's writings. Tight binding. Light brown coverboards with gilt lettering and gilt embossed illustration of two boats at sea, whose occupants appear to be fighting for control of each other's boat. Coverboards have bevelled edges with minimal wear. No date of publication indicated, but presentation plate on front pastedown endpaper is dated 1890. Black and white frontis illustration from an engraving with a tissue guard. Some spotting on a few pages. One illustrative plate has a small piece missing at edge, but does not affect illustration itself. A 1.25" length of paper covering rear hinge has worn away. Four pages at end of book list other publications by Frederick Warne and Co. A very nice copy of a hard-to-find title. Size: Sm 8vo (7.5" to 8"). 239 pp.

Guelph FOL Sale, Oct. 2014