The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book.

KIPLING, Rudyard.

Item Number: 74085

London: Macmillan , 1894-95.

First editions of both volumes of The Jungle Book. Octavo, two volumes, original blue cloth decorated and lettered in gilt, all edges gilt, engraved frontispiece with tissue guard present. Illustrated by J. L. Kipling, W.H. Drake and P. Frenzeny. From the library of Charles George Milnes Gaskell with his bookplate on the pastedown of volume I. Also laid in is a handwritten quiz about the story accompanied by answers to each question in Gaskell’s hand and on his letterhead. Charles Milnes Gaskell was an English lawyer politician and the son of James Milnes Gaskell of Thornes House, Wakefield, Yorkshire. In near fine condition with light rubbing. Housed in a contemporary half morocco clamshell and chemise box. A nice bright set.

The Jungle Book is a collection of fables which provide moral instruction by using animals anthropomorphically. Each story begins and ends with a verse, and the original publications contain some illustrations created by Rudyard's father John Lockwood Kipling. The inspiration for the book is evident. Kipling was born in India, and he spent his childhood there. Interestingly, Kipling wrote these stories when he lived in Vermont. The Jungle Book is used to develop the morale of the junior element of the Scouting movement, "The Cub Scouts". The name of the head wolf "Akela" has been traditionally given to each Cub Scout pack leader. At least fifteen movies were released based on Kipling's stories, beginning with Elephant Boy in 1937. A live-action anticipated version of Jungle Book will be released in October of 2018 by Warner Brothers.