[First Edition] The Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean Ballantyne

First edition, first issue (with the color plate 'Terrible Encounter with a Shark' bound opposite page 76). A very good copy in the original pictorial red cloth decorated in gilt and blind, yellow coated endpapers, expertly rebacked in matching cloth with original spine laid down and some restoration to corners (prior wear to cloth; some foxing and smudges to text). There were several colors of cloth issued, the red is uncommon. Color frontispiece, decorative title, and several color plates in text by author. Housed in a fine custom clamshell box with black morocco spine and blue cloth boards. Ballantyne's 'The Coral Island' is significant for several reasons. Aside from never having gone out of print, and serving as the acknowledged inspiration for Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', it pioneered the use of all-juvenile heroes in genre fiction. PROVENANCE: Period ink signature on front free endpaper of Willis Mathieu.

Estimate:£1,889.78

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