Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Black Beauty

While at one of my favorite shops this summer, I came across this old book, Black Beauty.

Black Beauties

When I paid for it (it was $5.00) the woman at the counter told me that was a good price for a first edition. I am not sure it is a first edition, I can not find anyplace in the book that says it is.

Black Beauty Jacket

I also doubt a first edition would cost $5?

Black Beauty Book Title Page

The book is definitely old, the pages are yellowed and the binding is about to fall off. It is officially titled "Black Beauty The Autobiography of a horse by Anna Sewell." It was published by the Henry Altermus Company in Philadelphia, and the copyright date is 1897 by Henry Altermus.

I still have my childhood paperback copy of Black Beauty (what horse-loving young girl did not once own this book?)

Black Beauty 1970

My copy was copyrighted in 1970 by Western Publishing Company, and the cover price was .95.
Such a sad, yet heartwarming tale, with a happy ending.

Black Beauty

Last week, while in one of my favorite thrift shops, I found this old ceramic horse. At $6.99 this pony was a bit more than my usual $1.99 bargains, but I couldn't resist him.

Black Beauty

I do not know for sure that he is old, but he certainly doesn't look new, and has no markings (in particular, no "made in China.") Besides, being priced at $6.99 at this thrift shop tells me they knew it was old and worth more than the typical $1.99 for cheap knick knacks.

Beauty and the Book

He is a regal beauty, this one. I hope to add a few more ceramic horses to my collection. Those that have been reading my blog since the beginning might remember my other ceramic pony (found at the same shop for the same price, interestingly!)

Beauty and Ginger

I have now dubbed that golden beauty as Ginger, which seems pretty fitting since she found a great friend in Black Beauty!

Black Beauty and Ginger

Do you have a copy of Black Beauty in your collection?

41 comments:

  1. Yes I have a copy of Black Beauty! Mine was published in the 70's. However,I have the book The Black Stallion that was published in 1941! I should get in and read them!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, The Black Stallion is one of my faves. I haven't read that in years, I should get a copy. Actually, it is one childhood book I don't think have anymore...wonder what happened to it?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love Black Beauty. It looks like your book has lovely illustrations. I looked up some info and found that Black Beauty is an 1877 novel. I didnt know that it was composed in the last years of Anna Sewell's life, or that she was confined to her house as an invalid. The novel became an immediate bestseller, with Sewell living just long enough (five months) to see her first and only novel become a success.
    When your sales person said that it was a first edition, they probably meant that there were no other publishing dates listed by that company.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't have a copy of Black Beauty because you probably have the copy we shared! I also don't have the Black Stallion, would love to have both!! If you happen to find them while you are out thrift store shopping, pick them up for me!! I did recently watch The Black Stallion dvd you got me for Christmas, my OH had never seen it before, he actually liked it!
    I think you ceramic ponies were made by the same person, or at least they look like it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just bought my 1st copy 2 months ago in anticipation of the "Rose kid's" visit!!! She adores horses and wears a horse shoe necklace just like me! My copy came with (I am embarassed to say) an audio CD!
    But alas...we did not get to read it as we were so busy, that at night I read to both girls at the same time and they had to arm wrestle to agree on a book!

    ReplyDelete
  6. They're beautiful! But oh, poor Ginger... What girl didn't cry when Black Beauty's beautiful friend died?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Of course I have a copy!!
    This book means a lot to me. I'm a big reader and it was the very first book I read all by myself.

    So with what you know about your latest copy I go curious. I did a little searching and I found a copy from 1881 for sale. It said "A very nice, collectable 12th edition" and that it was printed 4 years after the 1st edition. and in the same format. Also bound in cloth.
    Guess you were right to doubt yours was a 1st Edition.
    Oh yeah, and if it had been it would have been a steal... the one I mentioned above is selling for just over $420.00!! :o

    ReplyDelete
  8. ps - just a sentimental opinion but your other ceramic horse should not be named Ginger, she met such a tragic end!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I read it, possibly even that particular edition of it. I credit that book, along with the standard list of other classic horse books, with putting my head full of romantic notions about horses. Boy, did I have a bunch to learn when I actually got a horse! Those books were all I knew.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I never could read Black Beauty because every time I would start it I would get too upset! Even if a horse book ends happy, I can't read the sad parts! I am such a baby. I love your book and the illustrations. Also the ceramic ponies are perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  11. If I had a dollar for every time I have read this book I could literally retire. I love it, my daughter loves it and as soon as my grand daughter can read she will love it. I will read it to her soon as she has started preschool and is learning all kinds of stuff. I don't remember if I still have my original book or not, I don't think so. Another great book that I read over and over was "Old Bones" Have you read that one?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great pictures!

    I love that story - even though it is sad. I used to have a copy of the book, but it got ruined while being stored away while we built a new house when I was a teenager.

    I have all of the black stallion books and they are just barely holding together, I've read them so many times!

    I have 4 ceramic royal doulton horses and I treasure them. I used to have 8, but I had them all on a shelf and knocked them over one day. I was devastated, because my family bought them for me - I would get one every year...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh yes, BB is a classic. Between BB and all of the "Misty & Stormy" books set in Chincoteague my love for horses was born. The hard cover book is a good find even if it would turn out not to be a first edition. Thanks for bringing back some good memories this morning.

    ReplyDelete
  14. oddly no I don't have a copy of black beauty .I read my moms copy as a child. Maybe one day

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nice finds! Even if it's not a FIRST edition, it's a very old and lovely book. Those illustrations are nice!
    I love your little ceramic horses. Now, you'll need to find Merrylegs. I always wanted a pony named Merrylegs. lol.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, what a great book! I haven't thought about it in years and I have no idea where it is right now....too many moves have gone by to keep track. I might have to find another copy. Thanks for the nostalgic moment.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I do still have my copy of Black Beauty! It's old and yellow (it was already old when I got it as a kid), but I've never checked the publishing date.

    I still read it about once a year or so. It's such a timeless story.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Well of course I have a copy! I believe mine is at my mother's house. I love Black Beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Pony Girl! I've been reading your site but, this is my first chance to comment! I have black beauty AND King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian since I own an arabian! The story is very similar to black beauty.

    ReplyDelete
  20. OMIGAWD I just watched that movie for the first time a few years ago. While my husband fell asleep and snored, I was SOBBING AND SOBBING. I can't watch it again!
    I do love your beautiful old books though. It is really special to have such antiques in your personal library.

    ReplyDelete
  21. wow brings back memories of reading this as a kid... when horses were just something i read about...
    hmmm ... maybe that's why my first horse is a black TB mare..

    still have a copy somewhere
    gp

    ReplyDelete
  22. What an awesome price for the old book! I'm jealous!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Did a little checking, and you're right it's not a first edition. What you have is an illustrated edition by Altemus Young People's Library. While wonderful with amazing illustrations, definately not the first edition.

    See this story with picture of title page of a first edition that sold for 33K pounds!

    But yours is still a treasure!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I had that same hardcover Black Beauty book! The orange cover brought it back to me! Cool. If I remember right mine fell apart and eventually got thrown away. I look for old horse books at garage sales, have found quite a few, I tend to look for the training type ones. I have found a few.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have a "real" black horse (Blue) and a "real" Ginger (appropriately named "Ginger). LOL! The first time I watched Black Beauty as an adult, knowing those two were in my pasture, I bawled and bawled. I came to the conclusion I must never have watched Black Beauty as a child or I would have remembered what had happened to Ginger. I mean, really, I have never ever ever forgotten Old Yeller! How would I have forgotten Ginger?? Mom must have decided Old Yeller scarred us for life, for goodness sakes, do not let us watch Black Beauty!

    For pretty good finds at the Thrift Store!

    ReplyDelete
  26. That's a cool find, a book from the late 1800s, I would've bought it. I have the Black Beauty book too, mine isn't an old edition but I love that book so much. It really makes the readers understand the horses point of view. When I watched the movie version of it, it made me cry.

    ReplyDelete
  27. yes I do, and vintage copies of children's classics are the best-love the yellowed pages and the musty smell!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wonderful colorful bookplates in that edition! I collect old children's books, and books on horses in particular. I have a few copies of BB. One of my other favorites was Black Gold. Man that one can make you really cry!
    And who among us doesn't to this day brush our horses mane or tail and think that if you brush it enough it will be 'as fine as ladies hair'.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love the lighting in your photos. You make a book and a statue look amazing.

    Oh and of course I had Black Beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  30. You might check ebay for more ceramic ponies. Merrylegs would be next, right? ;) I collect Breyers of all sizes and have for almost 50 years! Happy hunting! :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. No Black Beauty but will keep my eye open for one! You scored!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love that story!! And I really LOVE the movie!! What a fun book and a some great finds!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hey Ponygirl,

    Love the photos. Thanks for stopping in for the Hooked on Blog party. I never watched the TV show you are talking about, but actually, I read that her daughter's name is Kyndra. Now, I'm off to google it.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have never read Black Beauty, nor have I seen the movie!! Terrible for a horse person, right?? A month or so ago a co-worker watched Black Beauty and thought of me -- he brought it in for me to take home and watch. But it is a videotape, and I only have a DVD player.....

    ReplyDelete
  35. Pony GIrl....here ya go!
    http://texasofallplaces.blogspot.com/2009/08/reflective-friday-from-hunter-in.html

    Have fuN!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have the Black Stallion, but not Black Beauty...and if I've read it, it's been so long ago that I don't even remember the story. If I had seen the book for $5 I'd have bought it too! I think it was a good find!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Beautiful ceramic horses and a lovely old book you found. That's a great thrift store.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I managed to nab the family copy of Black Beauty and it goes where I go. One of my absolute favorites from those early days of reading was also National Velvet...a heck of a novel if you haven't ever read it but only rely on the movie versions...the story about Velvet's mother is very wonderful (as a Channel Swimmer). Great finds you have there!!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. No, I don't. I've moved so many times throughout my life due to being a military family when growing up, and then just life happening when I got older, that books were the first things to go, either at yard sales or donated to the library or thrift stores.
    Hey! Maybe you bought my old copy of Black Beauty?
    :)

    You got some nice finds at your thrift stores. The ceramic horses are very pretty.

    ~Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  40. I think I might. It's been a long time since I've read it. I know my older daughter would love reading it.

    I noticed in your side bar the picture of Gus. I am obsessed with Lonesome Dove right now. Wanted you to know how happy that made me.

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from my readers!! I truly enjoy all of your feedback, advice, helpful tips, and stories. You all make me laugh and I learn so much from you, too. I will try to post replies to your comments as often as I can.

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin