Kipling, Rudyard

Kim

New York, NY: Doubleday, Page & Company, 1901. First American Edition. Hardcover. The iconic novel by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), the canonical British author & journalist whose prolific output epitomized & celebrated the colonial British Empire. While he may be out-of-favor if not entirely "canceled" by our current, intolerant "liberal" literary establishment for his indeed extreme advocacy of colonial imperialism & what is now often viewed as appropriation of native cultures, Kipling nevertheless has a time-tested, immortal place in world literature. The quality & adventurous excitement of his prose are at their apex in this, perhaps his most famous & acclaimed work. Kim (Kimball O'Hara) is an Irish orphan living by his wits in British-ruled India during the late 19th century, & gets deeply involved in adventures as he is brought into the "Great Game" of intrigues between imperial powers. Kim stands as a classic for children & adults alike. Offered here is the first American edition, published simultaneously with (or possibly slightly before) the first British edition for the first time in complete form after being serialized during 1900-1901. Hardcover in dark-green cloth dust jacket with embossed illustrations & gilt lettering. With ten images, including frontispiece, of bas-relief sculptures, which though uncredited here have been attributed to John Lockwood Kipling, the author's father. Also with only chapters VIII & XIII beginning with poetry stanzas, an indication that this is a first printing of 1901. We have seen no references to a dust jacket, if one was issued it is not present on this copy. One of the most popular & enduring works by Rudyard Kipling, in a highly collectible original form. In relatively near-fine, unrestored condition with mild-to-moderate rubbing to front, back covers & spine; mild wear, fraying & some very short, mostly closed tears at edges & corners of same esp. spine-edges & corners; gilt-dyed upper edge of text block somewhat rubbed & faded; side & lower edges of same uncut as issued with moderate browning & rubbing. Interior fine with very light browning & occasional spotting mostly to blank margins of page leaves; loosening of inner spine-hinge edges between pastedowns & endpapers, but binding & all leaves intact. We should note that on verso of short title leaf is a facsimile Kipling signature below a swastika, all encircled. This was an ancient Indian symbol long-preceding the Nazis' notorious version (talk about appropriation...) which went in the opposite direction. Near Fine. [Item #4261]

Price: $350.00