Oliver Optic Down The Rhine: Young America and similar items

DOWN THE RHINE OR YOUNG AMERICA IN GERMANY: A Story of Travel and Adventure by Oliver Optic (pseudonym of William Taylor Adams) Boston: Lee and Shepard Publishers, [circa 1877]. Early printing. Originally published in 1869, this early reprint was produced in a desirable, quality decorative binding. Illustrated with two striking steel engraved plates, one as the tissue-guarded frontispiece depicting horse drawn coaches laden with suitcases and people, approaching a rocky terrain, a mill and a waterfall; the other plate is also the title page, depicting a sailing ship surrounded by five vignette travel scenes. The sixth and final book in the Young America Abroad, First Series. All twelve titles in the first and the second series are listed on a preliminary advertising page. Optic, famous for his boy's adventure books, presents this travel series with real details of travel, and features the Academy Squadron here, on their first trip to Europe, and on an excursion down the Rhine river, with many stops for sight-seeing, with their friends. A timeless historical book, great for home school reading. A lovely, early illustrated binding. Rubbing, faint staining and soiling to the rear cover, minor rub-wear to the upper and lower spine edges, front end-paper lacking, front inner hinge starting--but still holding well, else a very good, tight copy in red linen with gilt reverse titles above a black embossed portrait of the author and with elaborate embossed black decorations to the front cover and to the gilt titled spine; red-and-white headband and tail-band; no dust jacket. Octavo; 341 pages; plus 8 pages of ads to the rear. PLEASE VIEW OUR STORE FOR MORE GREAT VINTAGE ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BOOKS THANKS!