Narrative

String to Morocco

1. String, paper: Robinson Crusoe

The first four artifacts in this narrative are editions of Robinson Crusoe, each with a different cover and/or binding. The first, The Wonderful Life and Surprising Adventures of that Renowned Hero, Robinson Crusoe (Edinburgh: Ross, 1813), is a chapbook from Ross’s Juvenile Library. It is loosely held together with string. Traditional chapbooks were sold uncut; the purchaser would slit the pages and stitch them together. They were made with low quality paper; day-to-day wear and tear or water damage would easily destroy the edges. The cover is plain paper lightly ornamented without colour. Such chapbooks were commonly sold for one halfpenny to twopence.