Books

London: Cassell & Company, 1883. First edition, first issue of Stevenson's timeless tale of adventure which set the gold standard for the pirate genre. With the following first issue points: 8 page publisher’s list at end, December ads numbered 5E-12.83; "dead man's chest" not capitalized on pp. 2 or 7; broken type of “vain” in the last line on p. 40; “a” missing in line 6, p. 63; p. 83 with 8 present in the page number; 7 not present in the pagination of p. 127; period not present on line 20 of page 178; “worse” instead of “worst” on line 3 of page 197. Octavo, original sage green cloth, tissue-guarded frontispiece map. In near fine condition with light rubbing. Housed in a custom full morocco slipcase and chemise. An exceptional example, rare in this condition. “Inspired by a detailed map of an island that Stevenson and his stepson drew one rainy day, with hidden treasure and cryptic instructions reverently included… Treasure Island is best enjoyed as its…

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.