The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe – Daniel Defoe – 1853 | Grandville Illustrations

This edition of Daniel Defoe’s famous adventure story The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe features illustrations by celebrated caricaturist Grandville. First issued in 1719, Robinson Crusoe is widely considered the prototype for both the English novel and the adventure genre. As Victorian publishers sought to blend education and entertainment, illustrated and annotated offerings found a receptive audience. Published by George Routledge & Co., this printing stands out for its inclusion of a memoir of the author and a critical essay on Defoe’s writings. Grandville’s illustrations for this volume are representative of his proto-surrealist and imaginative style, which influenced such illustrators as Tenniel, Dore, and even Walt Disney.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. With a memoir of the author, and an essay on his writings. Illustrated by Grandville.
• Author: Daniel Defoe
• Illustrator: Grandville
• Publisher: London: George Routledge & Co.
• Edition: 1853
• Binding: Hardcover; original orange publisher’s cloth
• Format: Octavo (8vo), single volume
• Size: ~ 9in x 5.75in (23 cm x 14.5 cm)
• Collation: xviii, [3], 22–599, [1]
• Illustrations: Numerous full-page and in-text illustrations throughout
• Contents Include:
  • Memoir of Defoe
  • Critical Essay on Defoe’s Writings
  • Full Text of Robinson Crusoe
  • Illustrations by Grandville
• Provenance: Handwritten signature of Francis L. Gardner on front flyleaf

Condition:

Good. Binding is secure; cloth shows some shelf wear, most noticeably on the bottom edge, and mild soiling to the boards. Pages show some expected aging with moderate foxing throughout. Pages and illustrations are clean and intact, with a secure text block.

Why Collect This?

• Illustrated by French caricaturist Grandville
• Mid-Victorian printing that reflects period literary trends
• Includes prefatory literary-critical content

Item Number: # 31114