Art-Type edition of "Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell
Publication Date: circa 1900
The World’s Popular Classics
Books, Inc.
New York
252 pages
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A magnificent black horse in nineteenth-century England recounts his experience with both good and bad master. Animal Biography. |
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COPYRIGHT YEAR: This volume is not marked with a copyright date. Circa 1900 |
Condition: Very Good. Rare Art-type edition of the novel that unified a movement, the most widespread tool wielded by humane societies to abolish practices of cruel treatment of horses, especially the use of the bearing-rein. Now considered one of the most famous English children's books of the Victorian era, BLACK BEAUTY only sold about 100 copies during the holiday season when it was first published. Its momentum slowly gathered with good reviews, but the book's major turning point occurred in the US. Following the life of a horse, from the horse's perspective, BLACK BEAUTY proved a powerful vehicle to spotlight examples of cruelty to animals, and became a unifying symbol among animal rights activists seeking more humane treatment of horses. In a brilliant move, the founder of the American Humane Education Society, George T. Angell, attracted corporate donations to finance printing thousands of copies to give away to stablemen and horse drivers. The book's special capability to instill empathy in its readers had a lasting impact: BLACK BEAUTY is now credited as the most influential force in the abolition of the painful bearing-rein, as well as diminishing the traffic in decrepit horses. A lovely, highly collectible copy in the original binding has some discoloration. 8.25'' x 5.5'' x 1”. Clearly visible age/wear, but binding is tight and the pages are still surprisingly crisp and clean. Toning/marks/discoloration to the pages, NOT affecting the text. See photos.