Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley (Illustrated by N.C. Wyeth), 1920 ✨📚🎨

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This 1920 illustrated edition of Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley is a foundational work of historical adventure fiction.

Published by Charles Scribner's Sons and beautifully illustrated by the celebrated artist N.C. Wyeth, this book is a cultural touchstone that speaks to English patriotism and Protestant values. 

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2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

Westward Ho! is a swashbuckling tale set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It follows the journey of Amyas Leigh through exploration and naval warfare against the Spanish Armada.

The novel is more than a simple adventure; it is a patriotic and morally charged narrative that celebrates English heroism. This book is a unique window into the history of American publishing and the ways in which a new generation of writers and artists sought to document and preserve their personal and family history.

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3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

Charles Kingsley was a social reformer and a Christian socialist, which gives his work a unique and often moralistic perspective. The book's illustrator, N.C. Wyeth, was a celebrated American artist whose vibrant and dynamic illustrations brought new life to classic literature.

His work on classics like Treasure Island and The Last of the Mohicans cemented his place in American art history. Wyeth was a master of his craft, and his illustrations for this volume are a testament to his artistic genius.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

This book is a tangible link to a pivotal era in American publishing: the "Golden Age of Illustration". The artist N.C. Wyeth was a master of the craft. Its publication in 1920 places it in a historical context that is a direct response to a cultural trend in America. It serves as a document of a time when patriotic historical fiction was gaining immense popularity, and artists were bringing new life to these classic stories.

The personal inscription from "Martin" to "Meredith" on her 27th birthday in 1944 gives the book a specific historical journey, connecting it to an individual's life and the desire to preserve personal memory.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of American illustration, a scholar of historical fiction, or a private collector of books from the "Golden Age of Illustration".

It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who seeks to understand the cultural currents that shaped American publishing in the early 20th century.

This book speaks directly to a buyer who is a historian at heart, and appeals to a collector who values the intersection of classic literature, fine art, and personal history.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

For the discerning collector, this book is a unique and worthwhile acquisition for several reasons. As a high-quality, illustrated edition of a celebrated work of historical fiction with its original dust jacket, this book is exceptionally scarce.

Its publication in 1920 and its aesthetic appeal as a well-bound and handsomely printed volume make it a prime example of American bookmaking from the period. The personal inscription adds to its history and historical value, transforming it into a non-replicable asset with a documented history.

The book is approximately 105 years old, a testament to its survival and continued appeal.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This copy is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing the authentic wear of a cherished book from the early 20th century.

• Binding: The binding is expected to be a pictorial cloth and shows authentic wear consistent with its age, including rubbing and scuffing.

• Interior: The pages have some expected discoloration and foxing, but the text and illustrations remain clear and readable.

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8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book contains a personal inscription on the front endpaper that transforms it into a singular historical artifact. The inscription provides a direct, verifiable link to the book's history. It reveals the book's journey as a birthday gift in 1944.

• Transcription: The handwritten inscription on the front endpaper reads: "To Meredith on her 27th birthday. Martin. 1944.".

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9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• This volume is a fascinating example of a "crossover" collectible that appeals to collectors of rare books, historical fiction, and Americana.

• The book's author, Charles Kingsley, was a social reformer and a Christian socialist.

• The book's illustrator, N.C. Wyeth, was a celebrated American artist whose work on classics like Treasure Islandand The Last of the Mohicans cemented his place in American art history.

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10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Westward Ho! or, The Voyages and Adventures of Sir Amyas Leigh, Knight, of Burrough, in the County of Devon, in the Reign of Her Most Glorious Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.

• Author/Maker: Charles Kingsley.

• Illustrator: N.C. Wyeth.

• Year: 1920.

• Publisher/Foundry: Charles Scribner's Sons.

• Place of Origin: New York.

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, Pictorial Cloth.

• Edition: Illustrated Edition.

• Rarity: Rare with Inscription and Illustrations.