The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe

Published by Chatto & Windus, London; 1904. Fine-Paper Edition. 563pp. Condition: Very Good. Illustrated by George Cruikshank.

Bound in original publishers binding with gilt detailing and title to the spine. The binding is clean and tightly bound, with just a little shelf wear to the edges and a touch of rubbing to the rear. There is some fading to the spine, but it otherwise remains sharp and in very smart condition.

Inside, the pages are clean and bright with just a little toning and the occasional age spot. The book appears barely read and in beautiful condition internally. There is a neat ownership inscription to the ffep. It is beautifully illustrated by George Cruikshank, with 37 black and white illustrations throughout the book.

In all, this is a lovely example of this classic by Defoe. It is very collectible and in excellent condition. It would look very smart on any shelf, or in any collection. This novel tells the tale of Robinson Crusoe, written as the character's autobiography. Crusoe was a young middle-class Englishman who left his family home in search of adventures exploring overseas in 1651. Despite several unfortunate sea voyages and wrecks, he continues to pursue his desire to travel the seas and is once again shipwrecked, this time on an island off the coast of Venezuala in 1659. The novel tells of his life and adventures both in his sea journeys and living on the island. It was very well received, with 4 editions printed within the first year of being published. By the end of the nineteenth century, no other book in the history of Western literature had more editions, translations or spin-offs than Robinson Crusoe, with over 700 alternate versions including children's versions with pictures and no text. No literary collection would be complete without this true classic.