Books

London: Macmillan, 1895. First editions. Very Good. Original publisher's cloth bindings with gilt to spines and boards. All edges gilt. Dark green endpapers. Both books Very Good (or a little better). Spines a bit darkened and dulled, some wear at the extremities. Book one hinges tightened. Light to moderate foxing throughout (as often). Housed together in a plain blue cloth slipcase. One of Kipling's most memorable works. Based on folk tales and legends that Kipling learned during his childhood in India but written while in Vermont. This work of several inter-related short stories met with huge success upon publication and continues to enthrall readers of all ages to this day. According to Professor Edwin L. Miller, their publication "caused even severe critics of [Kipling's] previous work to admit that he is a writer of inspired genius." Largely focused on man's relationship to nature, The Jungle Books in part narrate the tales of Mowgli, a human (man-cub) raised by wolves, as…

The Jungle Book is a collection of stories by the English author Rudyard Kipling. Most of the characters are animals such as Shere Khan the tiger and Baloo the bear, though a principal character is the boy or "man-cub" Mowgli, who is raised in the jungle by wolves. The stories are set in a forest in India; one place mentioned repeatedly is the Seonee Hills, now known as the Seoni District in Madhya Pradesh.

For collecting purposes, a first edition of 'The Jungle Book' is identified by its publisher Macmillan & Co., and publication year 1894. As certain features like cover designs and typography can vary, it is advisable to consult a reputable rare book dealer or reference guide specific to Kipling's works for the more detailed nuances of first edition identification.