2 Double fore-edge paintings. The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mnariner: who Lived eight-and-twenty years, all alone, on an uninhabited island, near the mouth of the great river Oroonoque. With an account of his travels round three parts of the Globe.

12mo. Contemporary red straight grain morocco, elaborately gilt tooled, gilt backs and edges. 1820. London. 2 Double fore-edge paintings. The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner: who Lived eight-and-twenty years, all alone, on an uninhabited island, near the mouth of the great river Oroonoque. With an account of his travels round three parts of the Globe. Each volume is embellished with a double fore-edge painting. The scenes represent [Vol. I] Portrait of DeFoe, Crusoe finds goats on the island. [Revertsed]. Crusoe sees a strange footprint. Portrait of the Earl of Godolphin. [Vol. II] Crusoe reading to Friday from the Bible, with a border of prickly pear cactus. [Reverse]. Crusoe sights an English ship, within a border of Chilean Mallow Flowers. Daniel Defoe (c. 1660 – 24 April 1731) was an English writer, merchant, and spy. He is most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719, which is claimed to be second only to the Bible in its number of translations. He has been seen as one of the earliest proponents of the English novel, and helped to popularise the form in Britain with others such as Aphra Behn and Samuel Richardson. Defoe wrote many political tracts, was often in trouble with the authorities, and spent a period in prison. Intellectuals and political leaders paid attention to his fresh ideas and sometimes consulted him.