CONDITION: Good antique condition for its age. Original gilt-stamped cloth boards show rubbing, mild staining, and edge wear consistent with a 125+ year-old book. Gilt title and horse portrait remain visible and attractive. Binding shows wear at front and back.
SIZE: Approx. 8.5" x 5.5"
PROVENANCE: This is a scarce Lothrop Publishing Company illustrated edition of Black Beauty: His Grooms and Companions, printed during the American Humane movement’s earliest years. The presence of the Humane Education Society mission page identifies this as part of the educational campaign to improve equine welfare in the United States. A dated 1896 inscription confirms this book’s period authenticity and adds a touching historical connection.
MATERIAL: Cloth hardcover with gilt stamping, illustrated plates
WHY WE LOVE THIS: Few books speak to equestrian history the way this one does. Produced just a decade after the novel’s U.S. arrival, this edition bridges literature, animal advocacy, and Victorian printing. The gilt horse portrait, engraved illustrations, and Humane Education Society endorsement reflect the book’s original mission: to change the world for horses. It is beautiful, emotionally resonant, and a true heirloom.
