Step back into the world of Victorian-era morality and social mobility with this 1897 edition of "John Halifax, Gentleman" by Miss Mulock (Dinah Maria Craik).
Published by Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., this volume features a decorative floral binding and is beautifully illustrated by the prominent American artist Alice Barber Stephens, whose drawings bring the timeless tale to life.
2. About the Book 📖✍️✨
"John Halifax, Gentleman" tells the story of John Halifax, an orphaned and impoverished young man who rises through hard work, integrity, and perseverance to achieve success and social standing. The narrative follows John's journey as he overcomes adversity, builds a business, and earns the respect of his community, all while maintaining his strong moral principles and his commitment to his family and friends.
The novel explores themes of social mobility, class distinctions, and the importance of virtue and self-reliance, offering a moralistic and sentimental tale of personal triumph that was highly popular with Victorian readers.
3. About the Author ✍️🏛️
Miss Mulock, whose real name was Dinah Maria Craik, was an English novelist known for her domestic fiction that often emphasized moral values and the importance of character development. Her achievement lies in her ability to craft engaging and sentimental stories that resonated with Victorian readers, particularly women.
Mulock's novels often portrayed idealized characters and explored themes of family, duty, and social responsibility. While her writing style may be considered sentimental by modern standards, her books were widely popular and influential in their time, reflecting the social and moral concerns of the Victorian era.
4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜
Published in 1897, this book belongs to the end of the Victorian era, a time when domestic fiction and moralistic tales were at the height of their popularity. It also reflects the Gilded Age's emphasis on self-reliance and the idea of social progress through personal effort.
The publisher, Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., was a major American publishing house known for producing finely made editions of classic literature, and the inclusion of illustrations by Alice Barber Stephens, a celebrated American artist, highlights the importance of combining literary and artistic excellence for a broad readership.
5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️
This book is for a curator of Victorian literature, a scholar of late-19th-century illustration, or a collector who values a book for its aesthetic appeal. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who appreciates the sentimentality of the Victorian era and the beautiful bindings of the period.
6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️
This 1897 edition of "John Halifax, Gentleman" is a valuable and collectible item, particularly for its beautiful decorative binding and illustrations by a notable artist. The gold-stamped floral design on the binding is a fine example of late-Victorian book art, making it a visually appealing piece for display.
The illustrations by Alice Barber Stephens, a well-known artist of her time, add a significant layer of artistic value for collectors of American illustration.
This book is 128 years old as of 2025.
7. Condition 🔎📚✨
This book is a used hardcover edition with a decorative light gray/tan cloth binding.
The binding shows visible wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and some discoloration, particularly on the spine and edges.
The gilt stamping shows some fading but remains largely discernible.
The pages are age-toned but remain clear and legible, with some foxing and light marks.
This item came from a local estate sale and was in the previous owner's home office for many years.
8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤
The handwritten notations on the front endpaper read: "RA 300" and "79-13". These appear to be previous owner's inventory or price markings.
9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩
Alice Barber Stephens (1858-1932) was a highly prolific artist, known as a leader in the "Golden Age" of American illustration. She was one of the first female artists to gain recognition in a male-dominated field.
Dinah Maria Craik was an advocate for women's independence and professional opportunities, which is a theme that is often explored in her domestic novels.
Thomas Y. Crowell & Co. was known for its "Crowell's Red Line Poets" series and other popular, well-made editions of classic literature, often with decorative bindings that made them popular as gift books.
