N. C. Wyeth Adventure Set

I've been trying to remember which books were part of the N. C. Wyeth Adventure Set. These are the ones I remember, and if someone else knows others, please add them.

Robin Hood
Mysterious Island
Kidnapped
The Black Arrow

I think these two were as well?
Treasure Island
The Deerslayer

Any others?

Also, does anyone know if the current Reader's Choice editions of Kidnapped & Mysterious Island are illustrated by Wyeth?

The original offering of 'Adventure Classics' illustrated by N.C. Wyeth included the following fourteen titles for $48.25/ea. in the early '90s:

Black Arrow, The
Boy’s King Arthur, The
Deerslayer, The
Drums
Kidnapped
Last Of The Mohicans, The
Mysterious Island
Rip Van Winkle
Robin Hood
Robinson Crusoe
Scottish Chiefs, The
Treasure Island
Westward Ho!
White Company, The

The collection was re-offered several times afterwards with fewer and fewer books in the collection each time, the last of them selling for $59.75. I presume E/P was clearing out overstock. My recollection is that the titles re-issued were titles that had been published previously from other collections and, even though not illustrated by N.C. Wyeth in each instance, were likely not purchased by many who already owned an alternative version.

I wonder with a collection like this if E/P originally manufactures the same number of each book and, if so, as I would expect, I ask why some are much more difficult by which to come. If the same number of each book exists I would expect each to be generally as available as the next. I can only speculate. Possibly E/P anticipates a higher demand for more beloved titles and therefore manufactures more volumes of one title in a collection than another from the beginning, anticipating more requests for the one. Or possibly collectors simply cling to the volumes that don't have duplicates from other sets so you see them available less often second hand.

To give you some idea of how collectible this set has become, there is a complete set currently available on ebay (06/27/2010) with a 'Buy It Now' price of $2799.95, the only complete set I have seen for sale in years. Again, distinguish asking price from 'Sold For' price, but I did see a complete set that did sell a few years ago for $$1322.50, just shy of $100.00/book. Not a bad return for those who picked up the set at $$48.25/ea.

I found out about this series last summer and over the past year. I have been looking for these titles and so far I have bought 7 of them. While buying a complete set would have been nice, as someone in the FS group mentioned, it removes the thrill of the hunt. Also, I have been able to obtain my seven current titles all for less than $100 each (including shipping):

Robin Hood - $65
The Deerslayer - $82
Westward Ho! - $74
The Black Arrow - $90
Kidnapped - $90
Treasure Island - $95
The White Company - $95

Of the remaining ones I am most interested in Drums, The Scottish Chiefs and The Boy's King Arthur. I have limited interest in Mysterious Island due to what I have been lead to understand is a poor translation.

wow

Are these really worth that much money? Apparently not in this economy, because they didn't sell. Just how different are these editions from the Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe that I have from 100 Greatest...?

A thing is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it; but that will vary from one person to another.

Personally I feel the 'Adventure Classics' are superior to their '100 Greatest' counterparts for three reasons. N.C. Wyeth's illustrations are classic and difficult to top. The Wyeth Illustrations are on glossy paper, which has the same effect on me as marshmallows in Lucky Charms. Finally, the illustrations are in full color whereas the '100 Greatest' illustrations are limited to just a few. Also, I like the glossy applique on the cover, which further distinguishes the 'Adventure Classics' from your traditional E/P classic. It is like a little window through which you peek into the world of the adventure itself.

That said, I wouldn't give up my '100 Greatest' edition either.

Thanks for the list, wailofatail. I totally agree that the Adventure Classics editions are better than 100 Greatest, imo, because of the glossy Wyeth illustrations. They are beautiful! They only one I have is The Black Arrow, but I'd love to have more.

I can see why someone might pay as much as $100 per book for the Wyeth collection since they are no longer available. Since EP has reissued The Black Arrow from the Wyeth collection, I wonder if they will reissue some of the other books eventually.

Speaking of Wyeth, I'm seeing a copy of The Yearling floating around on ebay these days. Any idea what series or set that book is from? The ebay description says it comes with "notes from the archives", so does that mean it was a Famous Edition?

The Yearling is one of the 'Famous Editions'. It was also issued as one of the titles in the 'Great Illustrated Classics' set. The 'Notes From The Archives' would indicate that this is the 'Famous Editions' version.

I recently scored a copy of "The Yearling" at a bookstore in Sarasota FL for the remarkable price of 60 dollars. A very good price on a mint unmarked/plated copy of this hard-to-find title. I am thrilled with the find. As my previous post indicated, I've had my eye on this title for some time now. This title is a strange anomaly, in that it was a Wyeth illustrated book not included in the Wyeth adventure series.

Does anyone know of any other Wyeth illustrated books that EP (or heritage/folio) has put out that were not a part of this set? (and by "anyone" I mean WailOfATail :)

The Yearling, as you mention, is the only Wyeth illustrated book that was not included in the N. C. Wyeth illustrated 'Classics Of Adventure' Set. It was part of the 'Great Illustrated Classics' collection and also issued as a 'Famous Edition'. All other Wyeth illustrated books were included in the 'Classics Of Adventure' Set, but a few were not exclusive to the set. Robin Hood and The Black Arrow, for example, have both been issued in other collections.

The color applique cover art, however, is unique to the 'Classics Of Adventure' set.

ANother question for those who know: did the EP ever reissue an edition of The Odyssey with Wyeth's illustrations? This was one of his finest jobs, but I don't think it has ever been reissued.

>11 Django6924:: E/P has not issued an edition of The Odyssey with Wyeth illustrations.

>11 Django6924: A good candidate for a future LE.

Wow, Silent, I knew I could count on you :) One down, only 15 more to go!

Actually I was lucky enough to snag a copy of "The Black Arrow" directly from EP while the Reader's Choice edition was still in stock. Best 55 bucks I ever spent on a book; that volume is one of my favorites. I am not a fan of the look of the applique covers from the illustrated Wyeth collection, but unfortunately, EP has left us little choice if we wish to collect more of these books.

15?

I've a copy of Drums from Scribners (ca 1928) -- many illustrations, both colour & black&white. Anyone know how it compares to other editions in terms of the illustrations included? I've gathered that some editions have a subset of the illustrations Wyeth made.

I also have a copy of White Company but I'm not sure if Wyeth provides just the cover or if there are internal illustrations as well. I'll try to remember and look tonight.

Even if EP does not reprint the whole Wyeth set, it would be great if they could reprint some of the books in single volumes in a Readers Choice series like they did with "The Black Arrow". I'd like to get "White Company", "The Scottish Chiefs", etc. and I don't think those were ever printed by EP in any other series.

Meh, I meant 14...I was close. actually 13 if you count that I have the black arrow already.

Ah, I thought you might be adding in The Yearling (and maybe the unpublished Homer -- as wishful thinking).