A Chapter of Adventures G A Henty c1900 Overend Illustrated Boys Novel
 
Title & Bibliographic Details
Title: A Chapter of Adventures: or, Through the Bombardment of Alexandria
Author: G. A. Henty
Illustrator: W. H. Overend
Date: Circa 1900–1905
Edition: New Edition (illustrated Blackie juvenile series issue)
Publisher: Blackie and Son Limited
Series: Blackie’s Story Books for Boys
First published in 1891, this undated Blackie “New Edition” can be confidently placed circa 1900–1905, based on:
Crown 8vo 3s. 6d. olivine-edge format 
publisher’s internal catalogue style 
pictorial cloth binding design typical of early Edwardian Blackie issues 
rear advertising list including similarly dated companion titles 
The plate code (580) is a printer’s identification mark rather than a publication date.
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
A Chapter of Adventures is one of G. A. Henty’s dramatic imperial adventure novels inspired by the Bombardment of Alexandria (1882) during the Anglo-Egyptian War.
Henty’s works were among the most influential boys’ adventure stories of the late Victorian and Edwardian period, combining:
historical narrative 
imperial travel 
moral development 
military action 
technical realism 
Blackie & Son’s illustrated cloth editions such as this formed the classic gift-book format of Edwardian juvenile literature, widely purchased for school and Sunday-school presentation.
Copies retaining their original pictorial bindings and illustration sets remain increasingly collectible today.
 
About the Author
G. A. Henty (1832–1902) was one of Britain’s most popular writers of historical adventure fiction for boys.
 
About the Illustrator
This edition is illustrated by W. H. Overend, a prominent late Victorian illustrator especially associated with historical action scenes,  military subjects, boys’ adventure fiction.
The volume contains six full-page plates including the frontispiece, all present.
 
Binding & Exterior Description
Bound in original pictorial cloth boards, featuring:
dramatic colour illustration of a vessel caught in a cyclone 
decorative spine panel continuing the scene 
gilt, green, and black design elements 
The binding remains strong and visually striking, with:
bumping to corners 
small corner splits 
light edge dents 
light rubbing to extremities 
minor surface scratches and marks 
Overall, the binding retains excellent shelf appeal typical of Blackie illustrated gift editions.
 
Interior Condition
The interior remains clean and structurally sound overall:
pages lightly tanned 
light foxing present but unobtrusive 
occasional small corner creases 
a few minor edge tears not affecting text or plates 
Illustrations:
all 6 plates present 
frontispiece loose 
two additional plates loose 
one plate neatly tape-repaired at inner margin 
Text block otherwise firm.
Light pencil marking to front pastedown only.
Rear publisher’s catalogue present: 15 pages – Blackie’s Story Books for Boys
Total: 288 pages + 15 publisher’s catalogue pages
 
Ownership inscription to front:
Edward Wyatt
Bladon nr Oxford
January 27th 1929
Bladon is the historic Oxfordshire village closely associated with the Churchill family and its long-established parish educational tradition. Contemporary ownership inscriptions such as this provide an appealing glimpse into the early life and readership of the book during the late interwar period.
 
Physical Details
Dimensions: 19.3 cm × 13.2 cm × 4.7 cm
Weight approx. 580g
 
Rarity & Collector Notes
This edition should be considered Uncommon.
Justification:
not the 1891 first edition 
early Blackie illustrated cloth issue rather than later reprints 
retains original pictorial binding 
complete illustration set present (despite looseness) 
early publisher catalogue retained 
 
Market observations:
Henty titles remain widely collected, but early illustrated Blackie cloth editions in attractive bindings remain consistently desirable, especially when complete with plates and advertisements.
Condition note affecting value: Loose plates slightly reduce collector premium but do not materially affect desirability as a reading or display copy.