Black Beauty: In Words of One Syllable, by Anna Sewell (adapted), (RARE, Illustrated, Prize Inscription), 1905 📜🐎✨

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare antique edition of Black Beauty: In Words of One Syllable, published in 1905by The Saalfield Publishing Company.

This special volume, adapted by Edgar Lee and illustrated by Harry Lambright Miller, was created to make Anna Sewell's classic accessible and engaging for "Little Folks." This book is a premier acquisition for any serious collector of early 20th-century children's literature, offering a unique glimpse into the history of publishing and educational practices.

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2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

This adaptation retains the heartwarming core narrative of Black Beauty, the noble horse who recounts his life's journey, experiencing both kindness and cruelty at the hands of humans.

By simplifying the language, Edgar Lee aimed to convey Sewell's powerful message about animal welfare and the importance of compassion to a younger audience.

The book's central themes of empathy, ethical treatment of animals, and resilience become easily understandable for early readers, preserving the spirit of the original while making it perfect for developing minds. The illustrations by Harry Lambright Miller add a charming visual layer to this cherished story.

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

Edgar Lee was a dedicated adaptor who specialized in rewriting classic literary works into simplified versions for children.

His achievement lies in his ability to distill complex narratives into a form that is both comprehensible and engaging for young readers. By making stories like "Black Beauty" accessible to a younger audience, Lee made a valuable contribution to children's literacy and their early exposure to important moral and social themes. The delightful illustrations by Harry Lambright Miller enhance the visual appeal of this edition.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

The publication of this book in 1905 places it at a key moment in the history of children's literature, when publishers were experimenting with new formats and simplified language to reach a broader readership. This edition, with its focus on "one-syllable" words, is a prime example of this trend.

Its inscription, given as an academic award, also provides a fascinating look into the social norms and educational practices of the time. 

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This 1905 edition of Black Beauty, In Words of One Syllable is a core acquisition for a collector building a focused library on early 20th-century children's literature and Americana. It is a perfect fit for a literary historian who appreciates the intersection of a classic literary work with the history of publishing and educational practices.

The personal inscription, "Presented to Pearl [Name] by her teacher Hilda [Name] for good deportment," provides a delightful piece of provenance, transforming this specific copy into a singular artifact that holds a piece of educational and literary history. 

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1905 edition of Black Beauty is a genuinely scarce asset.

The book is 120 years old, having survived over a century of history. Its value is overwhelmingly driven by its market scarcity, its historical importance, and its status as a true first edition of this specific adaptation.

The delightful illustrations by Harry Lambright Miller add to its aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, the personal inscription provides a delightful piece of provenance, offering a heartwarming insight into its original life as an academic award, which adds to its premium value. This non-replicable asset holds value that far exceeds a standard reprint.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is a used hardcover edition with a pictorial binding.

• Binding: The binding shows visible wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and some loss of the original finish, particularly on the spine and edges.

• Pages: The pages are age-toned but remain clear and legible.

• Inscriptions: A handwritten inscription is on the front endpaper, which is a prize inscription.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Anna Sewell, the original author of Black Beauty, only wrote one novel in her lifetime.

• The book was published to raise awareness about the ethical treatment of animals, a cause she was passionate about.

• The original Black Beauty was not intended as a children's book. The simplified versions, like this one, helped make it a classic of children's literature.

• The personal inscription, which serves as a prize for "good deportment," offers a fascinating glimpse into the educational and social norms of the early 20th century.

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Black Beauty: In Words of One Syllable

• Author/Maker: Anna Sewell (adapted by Edgar Lee)

• Illustrator: Harry Lambright Miller

• Year: 1905

• Publisher/Foundry: The Saalfield Publishing Company

• Place of Origin: Not specified

• Edition: First Edition (of this adaptation)

• Format/Binding: Hardcover with pictorial binding

• Rarity: Rare

• Transcription: The handwritten inscription reads:

  • “Presented to Pearl [Name] by her teacher Hilda [Name] for good deportment.”