1893 Rare Victorian Book - Captain January, Lighthouse Keeper and His Little Girl by Laura E. Richards. Illustrated.

Author: Laura E. Richards. Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill.
Title: Captain January.
Publisher: Boston, Estes & Lauriat, 1893.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 8.5" x 7".
Pages: 133 pages.
Binding: Good to very good decorated original full-cloth binding with gilt decorative medallion depicting Captain January and the young girl "Star" on the upper right of the front cover (hinges fine, overall slightly worn and scuffed - as shown, spine faded - as shown). Upper edge gilt. Protected in a removable mylar cover.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight, and clean, with light foxing or staining - as shown; 1904 gift inscription on the first endpaper - as shown; inner hinge of last endpaper slightly worn but still sound).
Illustrations: Profusely illustrated by Frank T. Merrill.

Estimate: Scarce in this illustrated form and condition.

The book: A rare and attractive illustrated edition of Captain January, the beloved children’s novel by Laura E. Richards. The story follows a lighthouse keeper and his young ward, Star, in a touching tale of devotion and seaside life. The work gained lasting popularity through its adaptations, notably the 1924 silent film starring Baby Peggy and the 1936 musical film featuring Shirley Temple.

The author: Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards (1850–1943) was an American writer and poet who authored more than ninety books, including biographies, poetry, and children’s literature. She is also remembered for her whimsical poem “Eletelephony.”

The illustrator: Frank Thayer Merrill (1848–1936) was an American artist best known for illustrating the first edition of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (1880). Over a long career, he produced illustrations for a wide range of literary works for both children and adults.