The True Story Book, Edited by Andrew Lang — 1st Edition

£120.00

The True Story Book, Edited by Andrew Lang — 1st Edition

Name: The True Story Book, Edited by Andrew Lang — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5210
Price: 120.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Longmans, Green, and Co., 1893

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xv, 337.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original dark blue cloth binding remains remarkably firm, sound, and square, exhibiting only minor signs of handling. The extremities show light rubbing, with gentle bumping to the spine head and tail, yet the cloth retains its deep, rich colour without the fading typically associated with nineteenth-century blue bindings. The pictorial gilt stamping across the upper board and spine is exceptionally bright, unoxidised, and sharply defined, retaining much of its original lustre. The text block is robust and the hinges are entirely secure. Externally, the all-edges gilt remains vibrant. Internally, the pages are generally clean, though there is scattered, moderate foxing to the preliminary leaves, most notably affecting the frontispiece, tissue guard, title page, and their adjacent margins, as is common with this paper stock. A neat, contemporary previous ownership gift inscription ("To Harold from Auntie Abraham Xmas 1896") is penned in black ink to the front flyleaf. Overall, an attractive, highly presentable, and sturdy example of this beautifully bound Victorian volume.

Catalogue Note: First edition, first printing. Edited by the prolific Scottish scholar and folklorist Andrew Lang, this volume deviates from his celebrated 'Fairy Book' series by presenting a curated collection of factual historical adventures tailored for a younger audience. The text contains twenty-four stories of true escapades and daring, including contributions such as H. Rider Haggard's gripping account of 'The Tale of Isandhlwana and Rorke's Drift'.

Bound in the publisher's stunningly decorative blue cloth, the book's design seamlessly mirrors the aesthetic of Lang's beloved folklore series. The work is richly accompanied by numerous vignettes and full-page illustrations provided by a roster of prominent Victorian artists, including H. J. Ford, L. Bogle, Lucien Davis, C. H. M. Kerr, and Lancelot Speed. While heavily circulated copies, later impressions, or rebound examples are relatively common, finding a first edition trade copy in the original cloth with such brilliantly preserved gilt tooling is increasingly uncommon on the collector's open market.

The True Story Book invites readers to leave the realm of fairy tales behind and plunge into the thrilling realities of human history. Edited by Andrew Lang, this captivating anthology gathers two dozen true tales of daring escapes, swashbuckling pirates, and historical heroism from across the globe. From the perilous adventures of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the cunning escapes of Casanova to the legendary battlefield of Rorke's Drift, Lang proves that the pages of history are just as spellbinding as any myth. Lavishly illustrated by leading artists of the period, this collection is an exhilarating journey through time, perfect for those who find the truth to be an adventure in itself.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Edited by Andrew Lang

Book Publisher: Longmans, Green, and Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: History

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 337

Book Publication Year: 1893

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: L. Bogle, Lucien Davis, H. J. Ford, C. H. M. Kerr, Lancelot Speed

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.