London: Macmillan & Co. Ltd., 1897. First UK Edition, First Impression
Description: A striking first UK edition of Rudyard Kipling’s beloved maritime adventure, issued just one month after the American edition. This hardback volume measures approximately 12 x 19 cm and features charming illustrations by I.W. Taber that bring Kipling’s vivid story of the Grand Banks and seafaring life to life, there is some foxing primarily confined to the page edges and preliminary leaves, consistent with age.
Provenance: This copy carries the signature of Lieutenant General Frank Noel Mason-MacFarlane, a distinguished British Army officer whose childhood connection to this classic novel adds an intriguing layer of historical interest. Mason-MacFarlane (1884–1968) had a notable military career, serving through both World Wars and later becoming a key figure in military intelligence and diplomacy.
While there is no direct record of Kipling and Mason-MacFarlane’s paths crossing, Kipling’s works were formative reading for many young British officers of the era. Captains Courageous, with its themes of resilience, courage, and the forging of character through hardship at sea, would have resonated deeply with Mason-MacFarlane’s own experiences of leadership and endurance. This provenance enriches the book’s legacy, linking the timeless narrative to a real-life exemplar of the very virtues Kipling celebrated.
