• A hardcover edition of 'The Outlaws of Sherwood' by Robin McKinley with a green and beige cover, featuring an illustration of a forest scene with a tree in the foreground and a building in the background.
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The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley (Signed, First Edition, Third Printing), 1988 🏹🌳👸

The Outlaws of Sherwood by Robin McKinley (Signed, First Edition, Third Printing), 1988 🏹🌳👸

$135.00
$135.00
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1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare, personally signed edition of The Outlaws of Sherwood by the acclaimed author Robin McKinley. Published in 1988 by Greenwillow Books, this book is a nuanced retelling of the classic Robin Hood legend that goes beyond the traditional heroic portrayal. 

  • Signed First Edition, Third Printing status from a celebrated author.

  • Unique history as a discarded library book, which adds a layer of history to its journey.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

The Outlaws of Sherwood is a retelling of the legend of Robin Hood that goes beyond the traditional story to explore the characters and social dynamics of the medieval world with greater depth and complexity. Its content includes:

  • A thoughtful reimagining of the traditional characters, including Little John, Friar Tuck, and Marian.

  • A notable focus on strong female characters, three of whom escape forced marriages and take an active role in the narrative.

  • A story that, in the author’s own words, echoes the "concurrent preoccupations" of its time, giving it a modern sensibility.

3. About the Author ✍️🏛️✨

Robin McKinley (b. 1952) is an American author best known for her fantasy novels and fairy tale retellings. She is a Newbery Medal winner and a World Fantasy Award winner.

Her work is a crucial part of the development of the modern fantasy genre. McKinley is celebrated for her strong heroines who do not wait to be rescued. This book is a direct reflection of her dedication to creating fantasy literature that is both imaginative and empowering. Her legacy is defined by her ability to reinterpret classic myths in a way that is both fresh and deeply satisfying.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1988, this book reflects a cultural moment of re-examining traditional narratives and myths. The late 20th century saw a growing interest in fantasy as a genre, and authors like Robin McKinley were at the forefront of a movement that explored classic stories from a more modern, complex perspective.

The book serves as a "time capsule" of late 20th-century American literary thought. It captures the spirit of an era when individual expression and personal narratives were highly valued. This book is a document of the ways in which a new generation of writers sought to bring new life and meaning to the myths of the past.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of modern fantasy literature, a scholar of young adult fiction, or a private collector of unique signed artifacts. The book appeals to a collector who is interested in the intersection of:

  • Literary history, fantasy, and classic mythology.

  • Newbery Medal and World Fantasy Award winners.

  • Unique history, such as a hand-drawn map or a library discard stamp, that adds to its historical journey.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️ As a rare, signed First Edition, Third Printing from 1988, this book is a uniquely scarce asset. The value is a direct reflection of the book's rarity, its historical significance, and its condition for an item of its age. The book's value is significantly enhanced by a personal inscription from the author, Robin McKinley. The book's worth is enhanced by:

  • Verifiable History: The book has a personal inscription from the author, Robin McKinley, which adds to its authenticity.

  • Unique Historical Journey: The book's status as a discarded school library book with a previous owner's inscription and a hand-drawn map makes this a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

  • Author's Acclaim: Robin McKinley is a Newbery Medal and World Fantasy Award winner, which adds to the book's literary legacy and market value.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨ This copy is a well-preserved piece showing authentic wear consistent with its age from the late 20th century. The original dust jacket shows some wear, including rubbing, creasing, and minor tears, which authenticates its long life. The pages remain clear and readable.

  • Binding: The book is a hardcover with a blue cloth binding. It has a tight and sound binding and a clean interior. The book's spine is labeled "REINFORCED TRADE EDITION," which indicates a more durable binding designed for libraries.

  • Dust Jacket: The dust jacket shows visible wear and tear, including rubbing, scuffing, and minor tears. The book has a library sticker on the spine, and a price tag of $18.40 on the front flap. The sticker is from a library in Sacramento, CA.

  • Interior: The pages are clean and free of any marks or stains. The binding is tight and sound. The front endpaper contains an inscription from the author and a previous owner's inscription with a hand-drawn map.

  • Signature: The book has a personal inscription from the author, Robin McKinley, in black ink on the half-title page.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤 This book contains a unique inscription that provides a direct and personal connection to the item's history. This element transforms the volume from a collectible book into a singular historical artifact. The inscription is a crucial finding as it documents the book's journey to a specific individual.

  • Transcription:

    • Author's Inscription: Best wishes, Robin McKinley.

    • Previous Owner's Inscription: James B. Kelly - 1966.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

  • The book has a personal inscription from the author, Robin McKinley, which adds to its authenticity.

  • This specific copy also has a previous owner's inscription and a hand-drawn map of "Belle Starr Country" on the front endpaper, which adds to its historical record.

  • The book is a First Edition, Third Printing, which indicates its popularity.

  • The book is a Reinforced Trade Edition, which is a more durable binding designed for libraries.

  • The book explores the character of Robin Hood from a new perspective, with a focus on strong female characters.

  • Robin McKinley's heroines "do not simper; they do not betray their own nature to win a man's approval".

  • The book's publication was in 1988, a year of re-examining traditional narratives and myths.

  • The inscription is a personal note from a Newbery Medal and World Fantasy Award winner.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

  • Title: The Outlaws of Sherwood

  • Author/Maker: Robin McKinley

  • Year: 1988

  • Publisher/Foundry: Greenwillow Books

  • Place of Origin: New York, NY, USA

  • Format/Binding: Hardcover with Dust Jacket, Reinforced Trade Edition

  • Edition: First Edition, Third Printing, Signed

  • Rarity: Rare with Inscription

  • Transcription:

    • Author's Inscription: Best wishes, Robin McKinley.

    • Previous Owner's Inscription: James B. Kelly - 1966.

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