The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner – Daniel Defoe
 
Circa 1895 • Ernest Nister, London & E.P. Dutton & Co., New York
Colour & Black-and-White Illustrated • Pictorial Blue Cloth Binding
 
Book Overview
 
A beautifully illustrated circa 1895 antiquarian edition of The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York, Mariner, written by Daniel Defoe and “as related by himself.”
 
This edition is notable for its fabulous pictorial blue cloth binding, featuring intricate cover art and stylised lettering, and for its wealth of illustrations. The volume contains:
6 colour plates: frontispiece, plus plates facing pages 60, 120, 172, 246, and 298 (all dated 1895)
Over 80 black-and-white drawings by J. Finnemore, G. H. Thompson, and Archibald Webb
All edges red
 
This edition was published by Ernest Nister (London) and E.P. Dutton & Co. (New York).
 
Illustrators & Artistic Significance
 
Joseph Finnemore (1860-1939): Prolific Birmingham-born illustrator of books and periodicals.
Archibald Webb (1866-1959): Born John Archibald Webb in Kensington, he illustrated over 150 books in his career.
G. H. Thompson: Noted Victorian-era book illustrator.
 
Historical Context
 
Ernest Nister (1842–1906) was a German-born publisher celebrated for his innovative children’s books, particularly movable and pop-up editions. Moving to London in 1874, he established E. Nister, specialising in high-quality illustrated volumes for both children and adults.
 
Robinson Crusoe was first published in 1719 and is considered one of the earliest and greatest adventure novels in English literature, inspired by the true story of Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, marooned for years on a deserted island.
 
Exterior Condition
 
Pictorial blue cloth boards with stunning illustration and stylised lettering to the front
Faded lettering to spine
Spine and boards intact and structurally sound
Light marks, cloth discolouration, and fading (especially to spine)
Small tears in cloth at spine ends and corners
Moderate edge and corner wear
Some light rubbing consistent with age
 
Interior Condition
 
All 328 pages present
Pages lightly tanned throughout, consistent with age
Foxing on endpapers, pastedowns, and some preliminary pages
Very occasional light marks in the text
Majority of pages clean and uncreased
No pen or pencil writing
No page rips
Binding tight and secure
All illustrations present and complete
 
Measurements & Weight
 
Size: approx. 23.8 × 18.5 × 3.5 cm
Weight: approx. 1,284 g
 
Rarity & Collectability
 
This late 19th-century Ernest Nister illustrated edition is highly desirable, combining decorative cloth artistry with both colour and black-and-white plates. Comparable examples in similar condition are scarce, particularly with all plates intact.