London: Macmillan, 1978. Finely bound edition of both volumes of The Jungle Book, with an exceptional fore-edge painting. Octavo, bound in full morocco by Bayntun Bindery, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, all edges gilt, engraved frontispiece with tissue guard present. Illustrated by J. L. Kipling, W.H. Drake and P. Frenzeny. In near fine condition. Rare and desirable. The Jungle Book is a collection of fables which provide moral instruction by using animals anthropomorphically. Each story begins and ends with a verse, and the original publications contain some illustrations created by Rudyard's father John Lockwood Kipling. The inspiration for the book is evident. Kipling was born in India, and he spent his childhood there. Interestingly, Kipling wrote these stories when he lived in Vermont. The Jungle Book is used to develop the morale of the junior element of the Scouting movement, "The Cub Scouts". The name of the head wolf "Akela" has been traditionally given to…