Robert Louis Stevenson — Treasure Island

London, Harrap Limited, 1985. First edition. Cloth. A very pleasing first Ralph Steadman edition of this illustrated copy of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. First edition with Ralph Steadman illustrations. Illustrated in colour throughout with twenty-four colour paintings. Collated complete. An adventure and historical novel that tells a story of "buccaneers and buried gold" set in the eighteenth century. It is considered a coming-of-age story and is noted for its atmosphere, characters, and action. In his introduction, Steadman writes that "Treasure Island is a dark tale. Dark with the knowledge that somewhere at the end of the journey there are riches beyond the dreams of avarice." This sense of darkness, and a deep secret, is present in his artwork for the piece. Written by Robert Louis Stevenson, a Scottish novelist, essayist, poet and travel writer best known for Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the poetry collection A Child's Garden of Verses. Illustrated by Ralph Idris Steadman, a Welsh illustrator and collaborator with the American writer Hunter S. Thompson, noted for his satirical political cartoons, social caricatures, and picture books. In the original full cloth binding. Externally, excellent. Original unclipped dust wrapper is also excellent. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Fine . Ill.: Ralph Steadman. Fine/Fine.