This finely illustrated 1796 Cooke’s Edition of Robinson Crusoe offers one of the most visually engaging late eighteenth century presentations of Daniel Defoe’s enduring adventure. Issued as part of Cooke’s celebrated Select Novels series, the set gathers all three volumes in contemporary full leather and preserves the engraved plates that helped define the series' popularity among early novel readers.
A classic novel in one of its most charming illustrated forms
Cooke’s editions were designed to be handsome, portable, and affordable, combining clear typography with high quality copper engravings. The Robinson Crusoe sequence includes plates by Warren and others, capturing scenes that eighteenth century readers associated with Crusoe’s self reliance, improvisation, and solitary island life. Together the three volumes present the complete narrative, from Crusoe’s departure and shipwreck to his survival, encounter with Friday, and eventual return.
This 1796 printing, identified by the dated plates, represents the period when Crusoe was firmly established as foundational English fiction and widely read across Europe and North America.
Provenance
An early ownership inscription for Charlotte Oterdahl adds a personal layer to the set. The presence of a woman's name in an eighteenth century novel collection is notable, reflecting the expanding readership of fiction during the period.
Format and condition
Bound in contemporary full leather with red title labels, the set shows the patinated wear of more than two centuries. The spines display chipping and scuffing, and the boards show surface rubbing at the extremities. Internally the pages remain clean with light toning and small spots, characteristic of the era.
The engraved plates retain sharp impressions and stand as some of the most attractive features of the edition.
All three volumes are solid and complete.
Significance
This Cooke’s Edition occupies a distinctive place among eighteenth century Crusoe printings. It blends an early illustrated tradition with contemporary binding, period provenance, and the compact elegance that made Cooke’s novels so widely collected.
For readers and collectors of early English fiction, illustrated editions, or Defoe in particular, this three volume set offers a resonant and historically grounded example of Robinson Crusoe’s long afterlife in print.
This finely illustrated 1796 Cooke’s Edition of Robinson Crusoe offers one of the most visually engaging late eighteenth century presentations of Daniel Defoe’s enduring adventure. Issued as part of Cooke’s celebrated Select Novels series, the set gathers all three volumes in contemporary full leather and preserves the engraved plates that helped define the series' popularity among early novel readers.
A classic novel in one of its most charming illustrated forms
Cooke’s editions were designed to be handsome, portable, and affordable, combining clear typography with high quality copper engravings. The Robinson Crusoe sequence includes plates by Warren and others, capturing scenes that eighteenth century readers associated with Crusoe’s self reliance, improvisation, and solitary island life. Together the three volumes present the complete narrative, from Crusoe’s departure and shipwreck to his survival, encounter with Friday, and eventual return.
This 1796 printing, identified by the dated plates, represents the period when Crusoe was firmly established as foundational English fiction and widely read across Europe and North America.
Provenance
An early ownership inscription for Charlotte Oterdahl adds a personal layer to the set. The presence of a woman's name in an eighteenth century novel collection is notable, reflecting the expanding readership of fiction during the period.
Format and condition
Bound in contemporary full leather with red title labels, the set shows the patinated wear of more than two centuries. The spines display chipping and scuffing, and the boards show surface rubbing at the extremities. Internally the pages remain clean with light toning and small spots, characteristic of the era.
The engraved plates retain sharp impressions and stand as some of the most attractive features of the edition.
All three volumes are solid and complete.
Significance
This Cooke’s Edition occupies a distinctive place among eighteenth century Crusoe printings. It blends an early illustrated tradition with contemporary binding, period provenance, and the compact elegance that made Cooke’s novels so widely collected.
For readers and collectors of early English fiction, illustrated editions, or Defoe in particular, this three volume set offers a resonant and historically grounded example of Robinson Crusoe’s long afterlife in print.
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