"Brave Old Salt, or, Life on the Quarter Deck A Story of the Great Rebellion" by Oliver Optic, published by Lee and Shepard, Boston, 1866, First Edition. First Edition points: "1866" is imprinted on the title page, copyright 1866 by William T. Adams, "Preface" is dated March 1865; illustrated.

Hard boards with blind tooled decorations, original publisher's cloth with gold stamping on spine [some wear: see photos], 4.1/2" x 7"; 'Arthur R. Gilbert. Oct 28/ 67' is pencil written inside cover, engraved frontispiece and extra title page with tissue guard, 330 pages + two plates, and publisher's ads, some foxing and soiling, ink stain first pages [see photos]; page# 260 corner fold; very good condition.

William Taylor Adams (1822-1897), pseudonym Oliver Optic, was a noted academic, author, and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Though "Oliver Optic" was the pseudonym he used most, his work also appeared under the bylines "Irving Brown," "Clingham Hunter, M.D.," and "Old Stager." Like many children's authors of his day, he was additionally an editor, and many of his works first appeared in Oliver Optic's Magazine. Adams' writing was criticized by Louisa May Alcott, among others. Alcott used her story Eight Cousins to deplore Adams' use of slang, his cast of bootblacks and newsboys, and his stories of police courts and saloons. Adams responded in kind, pointing out Alcott's own use of slang and improbable plot twists.

Adams became a teacher in the Lower Road School in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1843, and resigned from teaching in 1865. This experience brought him closely into contact with boys, to learn what interested them, which had a good deal to do with his eventual success as an author. Extensive travel abroad and a deep knowledge of boats, farming, and practical mechanics were other factors that gave his works reality.

Provenance:
From the library of Arthur R. Gilbert.

US: Priority (c.2-5 days) ------------- $9.50
Canada: 1st Class (c.2-6 weeks) ------ $22.50
World: 1st Class (c.2-8 weeks) ------- $31.50