Description
In the Land of the Lion and the Ostrich: A Tale of Struggle and Adventure
An early illustrated edition of this Victorian adventure story by Scottish author Gordon Stables (1840–1910), a prolific writer of adventure and juvenile fiction.
Originally serialized in The Boy’s Own Paper between 1894 and 1895, the story follows two schoolboys whose holiday adventures lead them into the world of African ostrich farming. The narrative reflects the popularity of exploration, wildlife and adventure literature for young readers during the late nineteenth century.
Illustrated by Alfred Pearse, the volume is housed in an attractive pictorial green cloth binding. The front board depicts a lion standing over a fallen figure beneath a wooded landscape, with decorative gilt-coloured lettering. The spine carries a complementary pictorial design featuring a lion, gilt title lettering and the Religious Tract Society’s initials (RTS).
An interesting example of late Victorian illustrated adventure publishing, particularly notable for its decorative publisher’s binding.
About the Author
Gordon Stables was a Scottish physician, Royal Navy surgeon and prolific Victorian adventure writer. His life was as adventurous as much of his fiction: he travelled to the Arctic as a young man, served aboard naval vessels in distant waters, and later spent time in the merchant service travelling extensively around the world.
Drawing upon his own experiences of exploration and life at sea, Stables went on to write more than 130 full-length novels, becoming one of the prolific contributors to late Victorian adventure literature for young readers.
Condition
Remarkably well-preserved for a Victorian volume of this age.
The decorative green cloth binding retains its attractive pictorial detailing and gilt-coloured lettering to both the front board and spine. The binding is sound, with no seam splits.
The interior is well preserved, with no apparent markings apart from the name of a previous owner written on the front free endpaper.
An appealing surviving example of nineteenth-century illustrated juvenile adventure literature.
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