c1875 The Boy Slaves by Captain Mayne Reid / CH Clarke, London / Yellowback Victorian Adventure Novel / Antique Book

Here is an early "yellowback" copy of The Boy Slaves by Captain Mayne Reid. Undated but with an inscription from 1875 on the reverse of the frontispiece illustration. Published by CH Clarke, London. It would have been one in a series known as "yellowbacks", the equivalent of our airport fiction, they were bright and colourful and designed to catch the eye in the newly emerging railway stations. Not designed specifically for longevity with their glazed papered boards, they often have not survived well. So when they do come up they are sought after by collectors. The contents of this copy are in very good condition, with some wear to the boards.

A gripping 19th-century adventure novel that follows the perilous journey of three young British midshipmen—Harry Blount, Terence O'Connor, and Colin Macpherson—after their ship is wrecked off the coast of Africa. Alongside an older sailor named Old Bill, they survive adrift at sea on a spar before washing ashore on a desolate sand-spit.

Their relief is short-lived: they are soon captured by Arab slave traders and forced into a harrowing trek across the Sahara Desert. The novel explores themes of survival, friendship, and resilience, all set against the stark backdrop of 19th-century North Africa. Reid, drawing on his own military experiences and flair for dramatic storytelling, paints a vivid picture of the dangers of the desert and the cruelty of the slave trade.

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound. Has some light spotting to the early pages. With the above-mentioned inked inscription, but no other writing or markings of previous ownership. With vintage advertisements at the front and back.

Has chipping and rubbing to the glazed papers around all extremities. With some areas of loss to reveal boards beneath in places and with some loss to the board on the top front (see close-up photo). Webbing revealed down the spine joints and with some cracking/creasing and a little loss to the paper on the spine. The colours remain bright.

Your antique yellowback copy of The Boy Slaves will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel if desired.

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Each book H 18 cm x 13 cm, 382 pages, 0.36 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK, with the exception of a small number of countries.

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped but sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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