Books

Hardcover. Fourth Edition (printing). Octavo, viii, 292, [8 adverts] [2] pages. Tissue-guarded frontis map printed in four colours, original slate paste downs. Bound in red cloth with gilt lettering to spine. Bumping/shelf-wear to spine ends and corners, text clean. Very neat gift inscription/signature dated Xmas 1884 at the top of the half title page. A very good, early, and scarce copy of Treasure Island, which was first published in 1883.

Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of 'buccaneers and buried gold.' It was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881 and 1882 under the title 'Treasure Island or, the mutiny of the Hispaniola', with Stevenson adopting the pseudonym Captain George North. Traditionally considered a coming-of-age story, it is an adventure tale known for its atmosphere, characters, and action. It is also noted as a wily critique of the ambiguity of morality—as seen in Long John Silver—unusual for children's literature. It is one of the most frequently dramatized of all novels. The influence of Treasure Island on popular perceptions of pirates is enormous, including such elements as treasure maps marked with an 'X', schooners, the Black Spot, tropical islands, and one-legged seamen bearing parrots on their shoulders.