The Red Badge of Courage. By Stephen Crane. Limited Edition. Franklin Library. Franklin Center, 1979.

At the turn of the 20th century, Stephen Crane was one of America’s most prized authors. His short stories, poems, and novels had made a lasting impact on American letters. His first novel, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, became a commercial success, and The Red Badge of Courage was quickly recognized as his magnum opus. Both works are usually categorized as naturalism, a literary movement and genre of the late 19th century that shares qualities with realism, but also centers its narrations on deterministic and objective points of view. Set during the American Civil War, The Red Badge of Courage is an introspective tale about an ashamed Union private who flees battle. Its characterization and battle descriptions have placed it among the best war literature of all time, garnering praise from successor Ernest Hemingway in particular.

This limited edition is in fine condition. In the original tan leather, finely gilt stamped. Raised bands. Gilt spine label. Text block fine. Gilt edges. Silk moire endpapers and bookmark sewn in.

A fine collector’s copy of The Red Badge of Courage.