1903 Scarce First Edition - Algonquin Indian Tales Collected by E.R. Young

Author: Egerton R. Young. Illustrated by J.E. Laughlin.
Title: Algonquin Indian Tales.
Publisher: London: Charles H. Kelly, 2 Castle Street, City Road; and 26 Paternoster Row, E.C., 1903. First Edition.
Language: Text in English. 
Size: 7.5 x 5 inches.
Pages: 257 pages + publisher's catalogue.
Binding: Attractive and very good publisher’s striking red pictorial cloth binding, titled in black on the spine and upper cover, with a dramatic scene of Nanahboozhoo rescuing another figure from a cliff while a great bird soars above a sunset. The spine features a flying raven motif and “CULLEY” at the foot (hinges fine, overall slightly worn, sunned and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare find in any condition!
Content:  Very good content (bright, tight and clean, internally fresh, lightly toned with occasional minor foxing - as shown, a School Prize label (dated 1912) is affixed to the front pastedown - as shown). 
Illustrations: Complete with the frontispiece and several full-page illustrations by J.E. Laughlin, including scenes such as “The Rabbit Tells Nanahboozhoo of His Troubles” and “Nanahboozhoo Then Mounted on the Back of the Great Buzzard.” The illustrations vividly depict the mythological and cultural spirit of the Algonquin and Ojibway legends.

Estimate: (Scarce with no or few other copies available for sale worldwide).

The book: A beautifully preserved 1903 First edition of Algonquin Indian Tales by Canadian missionary and author Egerton Ryerson Young. This collection gathers oral legends from the Algonquin and Ojibway peoples of Canada; stories that blend natural wonder, moral lessons, and the spirit of the wilderness. The volume opens with a touching letter from Chief Big Canoe (Keche Chemon) of the Ojibways, expressing gratitude for the preservation of his people’s stories, and affirming the importance of keeping them alive for future generations.

With its rich folklore, including tales of Nanahboozhoo the trickster hero, talking animals, and natural origin myths, this edition stands as both a cultural document and a testament to early efforts to record Indigenous oral traditions in written form. The vivid front cover design, printed in bold red and black, captures the drama and mystique of these northern legends.

The author: Egerton Ryerson Young (1840–1909) was a Canadian Methodist missionary, author, and lecturer who worked extensively among the Cree and Ojibway peoples in the Canadian North-West during the late 19th century. His deep respect for Indigenous cultures and his fluency in their languages allowed him to record many traditional tales, which he presented in accessible English prose for broader audiences. His other works include By Canoe and Dog-Train and The Apostle of the North.