By W.H.G. Kingston
Published by Collins Clear Type Press: London c1910 (undated - inscription dated 1913)
"W.H.G. Kingston's Old Jack is a classic nineteenth-century maritime adventure, presented as the recollections of an elderly sailor looking back upon an extraordinary life at sea. Kingston takes his hero through voyages to distant parts of the world, shipboard dangers, violent encounters and the hardships of a seafaring existence, including service aboard a South Sea whaler. Originally published in the 1850s, the novel combines fast-moving nautical adventure with the moral and religious themes characteristic of Kingston, one of Victorian Britain's most prolific and popular writers of boys' sea stories.
This handsome Collins Clear-Type Press edition was published in London and Glasgow as part of the publisher's "Forward" series. Although undated, the contemporary inscription dated 1913 supports an approximate publication date of c1910. Particularly attractive is the original red pictorial cloth binding, decorated across the front board and spine with a large sailing ship at sea. The volume is illustrated by Arthur H. Buckland and retains its colour frontispiece, captioned "I waved it above my head," together with a further full-page colour illustration—an appealing feature of these early Collins illustrated editions.
The volume also retains a charming period presentation inscription dated 1913, recording the book as being given to Harold "wishing him very many happy returns of his birthday," providing a tangible link with its original Edwardian-era owner. The decorative maritime endpapers, colourful title page, two colour plates and wonderfully evocative pictorial cloth make this a particularly attractive example of an early twentieth-century boys' adventure book. More than a century old, it represents both the enduring popularity of Kingston's nautical fiction and the handsome illustrated gift-book production of the period."
Heavy wear, fading and rub through to covers with a split to the outer spine hinge cloth as shown. Gift inscription present from 1913. Includes colour frontis, title page + 2 plates. Pages age toned with sporadic foxing and tanning. A nice copy that presents well. Please study photos to further understand condition.
