MICHAEL STROGOFF

1877. The Courier of the Czar. Translated by W. H. G. Kingston. Revised by Julius Chambers. With Ninety Full-Page Illustrations. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Company, 1877. 6 pp undated ads. Original green cloth pictorially decorated in black and gilt, beveled.

First Illustrated (and first hard-bound) American Edition of this historical tale of adventure taking place during a Siberian revolt by the Tartars. The czar must get a message to his brother the arch-duke, in Irkutsk, for which he chooses his best courier, Michael Strogoff. The first publication in English, in October 1876, was in a wrappered American edition by Frank Leslie; Sampson Low's U. K. edition came out two months later (in December 1876, despite the 1877 date on the title page). This Scribner Armstrong edition came out a few weeks later, in January 1877; it sold so well that by February a third edition was being advertised. This copy is in green cloth, one of several colors used without priority (we have also had terra-cotta and red). It is in fine condition, with scarcely any wear or soil. We have never seen a copy in better condition. Taves & Michaluk V015; Edwards 15.