Perserverance Island; or the Robinson Crusoe of the 19th Century by Douglas Frazar

Hardcover. Condition: Good-. 1885. Lee and Shepard. Illustrated.

Douglas Frazar’s ‘Perseverance Island’ is the American Victorian reinterpretation of Robinson Crusoe and it shares shelf space with such classics as Drums along the Mohawk, Mysterious Island, Vingt Mille Lieues sous les mers, Face au drapeau, Robur-le-Conquérant, and the recently available Verne masterpiece, Paris au XXe siècle.

The story is told from the first person perspective of William Anderson the last survivor of the schooner Good Luck who writes about his youth, voyage, shipwreck, and survival on an island.

Frazar makes the legitimate point that unlike Robinson Crusoe where the shipwreck with all the necessary goods for easier life is accessible, William Anderson had no such accessories. His story proves the limitless ingenuity and invention of man.

Wear to edges and cover is noticable with scuffing, thinning, and waving as well as some discolouration. Interior is well bound though spine is slightly cocked. Light to mild foxing throughout. An intriguing book and a scarce copy.