1920 Rare Book - A Boy of the Dominion: A Tale of Canadian Immigration
Author: Lt.-Colonel F. S. Brereton. Illustrated by William Rainey, R.I.
Title: A Boy of the Dominion: A Tale of Canadian Immigration.
Publisher: London, Glasgow and Bombay, Blackie and Son Limited, circa 1920.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 7.5 x 5 inches.
Pages: 367 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good original publisher’s pictorial blue cloth binding, front cover and spine stamped in black, blue, and yellow with a dramatic scene of a moose charge (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover.
Content: Good to very good content (bright, tight and clean, some foxing mainly on outer edge, preliminary and last pages - as shown).
Illustrations: Complete with the 6 full-page illustrations by William Rainey, including frontispiece, all present and in good condition.
The book: A vivid imperial adventure tale set against the backdrop of early twentieth-century Canadian settlement, A Boy of the Dominion reflects the era’s fascination with immigration, frontier life, and the forging of character in the vast landscapes of the British Empire. Brereton blends action, moral resolve, and patriotic spirit in a narrative that follows a young protagonist carving out his destiny in Canada. The striking pictorial cloth, depicting a dramatic encounter with a charging moose, captures the rugged romance of Dominion life and remains one of the most appealing features of this edition. Blackie’s adventure stories for young readers were widely circulated throughout the Empire, and this volume stands as a handsome and engaging example of the genre.
The author: Lt.-Colonel Frederick Sadleir Brereton (1872–1957) was a prolific British writer of boys’ adventure fiction and a former army officer whose military background lent authenticity and excitement to his narratives. His works often celebrated imperial service, courage, and self-reliance, making him a popular author among young readers in the early twentieth century. Many of his stories are set in colonial or frontier environments, where youthful heroes confront danger and responsibility in equal measure.
The illustrator: William Rainey, R.I. (1852–1936), was a distinguished illustrator and member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours. Renowned for his dynamic black-and-white illustrations for adventure and historical fiction, Rainey brought drama and movement to his scenes, enhancing the narrative tension of boys’ imperial tales. His evocative plates in this work contribute significantly to the book’s visual appeal and collectible character.