Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Illustrated by N.C. Wyeth), 1944 🏴‍☠️💎🌍

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is an illustrated edition of a classic work of adventure fiction, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, published by Charles Scribner's Sons in 1944.

This book is a unique cultural artifact that marks a pivotal intersection of timeless literature with the "Golden Age of Illustration". Its value is not only in its status as a collectible but also in its striking cover art and interior illustrations by N.C. Wyeth, a master of American illustration. This is a definitive document from a specific period of American publishing and art.

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2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

Treasure Island is a classic adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, following a young boy, Jim Hawkins, who embarks on a sea voyage to find buried treasure. He becomes entangled with a mutinous crew led by the memorable Long John Silver.

The book is a masterpiece of storytelling that explores themes of loyalty, greed, and the complexities of good and evil. The book's striking cover and internal illustrations are a key feature of this edition, created by the celebrated artist N.C. Wyeth. 

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

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist known for his adventurous narratives. Despite his family's wish for him to pursue a career as a lighthouse engineer, he became a writer.

Stevenson's life was marked by frequent travel due to chronic poor health, which inspired much of his writing. This volume is beautifully enhanced by the contributions of N.C. Wyeth, a celebrated American artist (1882-1945) who studied under the master illustrator Howard Pyle. Wyeth's work on books like Treasure Island and The Last of the Mohicans established visual images of the characters for generations of readers.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

This edition of Treasure Island was published in 1944, a period of American history marked by the ongoing Second World War.

The book's original release in 1883 placed it at the beginning of the "Golden Age of Illustration" (circa 1880-1930), a period when new printing technologies and a rise in literacy led to a boom in beautifully illustrated books. N.C. Wyeth was a central figure of this era, and his vibrant and dynamic illustrations brought new life to classic literature.

This book serves as a cultural time capsule, reflecting the enduring appeal of adventure stories during a time of global conflict and the continued appreciation for book design and illustration.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is a perfect fit for a curator of American art, a scholar of late-Victorian and early 20th-century book design, or a private collector of fine and historically significant illustrated editions.

The book appeals to a collector who values the intersection of classic literature, American history, and fine art. 

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a well-preserved illustrated edition from 1944, this book is a genuine and non-replicable asset. Its value is driven by its cultural and historical importance, as it features the iconic illustrations of N.C. Wyeth.

The market scarcity of a well-preserved copy with its pictorial cover intact is a key factor in its value, as many were lost or damaged over time.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨ This book is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing authentic wear consistent with a cherished book from the mid-20th century.

• Binding: The black cloth binding with the pictorial paste-down is intact and shows some rubbing and scuffing, particularly on the corners and edges.

• Pages: The pages exhibit some expected discoloration, but the text and illustrations remain clear and readable.

• Structural Integrity: The binding is tight and sound, ensuring the book's structural integrity.

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8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island in 1881, and it was originally serialized under the title “The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys”.

• The book's illustrator, N.C. Wyeth, was a student of Howard Pyle, who is considered the father of American illustration. Wyeth's work on this book in 1911 was his first commission for the publisher Charles Scribner's Sons.

• The personal inscription, "Dianne Martin from grandma. Nov 13-45," transforms this volume from a collectible book into a singular historical artifact, documenting its personal journey and adding to its provenance.

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9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Treasure Island

• Author/Maker: Robert Louis Stevenson

• Illustrator: N.C. Wyeth

• Year: 1944

• Publisher/Foundry: Charles Scribner's Sons

• Place of Origin: New York, USA

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, Pictorial Cloth

• Edition: Later Printing of the 1911 Edition

• Rarity: Very Rare

• Transcription: The handwritten inscription reads: “Dianne Martin from grandma. Nov 13-45”