Description
The Last of the Mohicans: A Tale of 1757 by James Fenimore Cooper A. L. Burt Company, “Famous Books for Young Americans” Series (c. 1930s) Hardcover with Original Dust Jacket — Fine Condition
Description: This beautifully preserved 1930s A. L. Burt “Famous Books for Young Americans” edition of The Last of the Mohicans is one of the finest examples of this period series available. Featuring a striking vintage dust jacket, crisp interior pages, and a dramatic illustrated frontispiece, this edition captures the full adventure and emotional sweep of Cooper’s classic tale. Copies from this era are almost never found with their original jackets intact, and even fewer have survived in such remarkable condition.
Condition: FINE in a Very Good+ to Near Fine dust jacket. The boards are exceptionally bright, the binding tight, and the pages unusually clean for a book of this age. The dust jacket—now protected in a Brodart archival cover—shows only the faintest wear at the spine corners, with no chipping or tears. A truly superior example and likely kept safely for decades due to its status as a prize copy.
Special Provenance: This book was awarded as a school prize in 1935, with a charming period inscription from Plunkett School: “Won 2d Nature Class, 1935 — Richard Bailey.” Prize copies from the pre-war era are increasingly scarce and offer a meaningful connection to a period when books were treasured gifts of achievement. This adds a layer of historical warmth and authenticity that collectors and parents of young readers will appreciate.
Significance: While not a 19th-century first edition, this is an outstanding example of a 1930s illustrated reprint in truly collectible condition. Its combination of visual appeal, preserved dust jacket, and early-20th-century provenance makes it an ideal entry point for a young collector or a beautiful addition to an established library of American literature.
Why This Copy Stands Out:
- Original dust jacket (rare for this series)
- Fine condition — exceptionally scarce in this state
- Period frontispiece artwork
- Charming 1935 school prize inscription
- Part of the collectible A. L. Burt “Famous Books for Young Americans” series
A wonderful display copy and a meaningful gift for collectors, history lovers, or young readers beginning their journey into classic literature.
