1900 First Illustrated Edition - David Harum, Story of Horse Trading illustrated
Author: Edward Noyes Westcott. Illustrated by B. West Clinedinst, with in-text drawings by C. D. Farrand.
Title: David Harum, A Story of American Life.
Publisher: New York, D. Appleton & Company, 1900. First Illustrated Edition.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 8 x 5.5 inches.
Pages: xvii, 417 pages.
Binding: Very good half green morocco binding, finely executed, with slight wear and light scuffing consistent with age. Hinges sound. Top edge gilt. Protected in a removable mylar cover.
Content: Very good condition. Bright, tight, and clean overall, with only occasional light foxing.
Illustrations: Complete with 9 full-page illustrations by B. West Clinedinst, along with numerous in-text drawings by C. D. Farrand.
Estimate: (USD 200–250)
The book: A handsome First Illustrated Edition ofDavid Harum, one of the great American bestsellers of the late nineteenth century. First published in 1898, the novel quickly captured the public imagination with its vivid portrayal of rural New York life and its memorable central character. The book’s enduring legacy lives on in the popularization of the expression “horse trading,” reflecting the wit and shrewdness embodied by David Harum himself.
The author: Edward Noyes Westcott (1846–1898) was an American banker turned author whose literary fame rests almost entirely onDavid Harum. Born into a prominent family in Syracuse, New York, Westcott wrote the novel during periods of illness, never witnessing its remarkable success. His work remains a notable contribution to American regional literature, offering both humor and insight into the social fabric of its time.
The illustrator: Benjamin West Clinedinst (1859–1931) was a respected American illustrator and portrait painter. Known for his sensitive and expressive style, he brought a distinctive warmth to literary illustration. His collaboration onDavid Harumenhances the narrative with visual interpretations that capture both character and atmosphere with notable charm.