H. Rider Haggard Works
1884 - Dawn
HRH's first novel
According to McKay and Scott, DAWN was first published in London by Hurst and Blackett in 3 volumes on February 21, 1884.
Only 500 sets were printed.
Whatmore claims the date of first publication was April 10, 1884.
According to ForumAuctions.co.uk in September 2018: We know of only three copies at auction in the last 40 years including the copy Haggard inscribed to his wife (Christie's, 28th November, 1990, lot 102, ÂŁ7,500).
John and Robert Maxwell published a 1-volume edition, supposedly February 1887. It has a black and white frontispiece.
Harpers published a 1-volume edition in New York in 1887 with a black and white frontispiece.
Spencer Blackett published a 1-volume edition, supposedly in 1888, and I have seen copies with the black and white frontispiece found in the Maxwell 1887 edition, but also copies with a color frontispiece by E. Hume.
Later, perhaps in 1890, Spencer Blackett published a new edition with 16 illustrations by Laslett J. Pott.
In 1894 Longmans, Green, and Company published an edition that includes 16 illustrations by D. Murray Smith.
Circa 1906 George Newnes published in London an edition with 8 illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo.
I do not own any of the books pictured below, unless noted.
Hurst and Blackett first edition in 3 volumes
As per ForumAuctions.co.uk: Signed presentation inscription from [HRH] to his sister Ella Green to front free endpaper... An excellent association copy of Haggard's rare first novel. Ella was the oldest of Haggard's siblings, and clearly took the role of elder sister seriously, caring for and advising her younger brother during his childhood.
The 3 volumes are shown below in numerous photos under different lighting
This set of volumes once owned by Ella sold in May 2021 for $5,829 plus an additional 30% Buyer's Premium, for a total over $7,500
Photos of this set are courtesy of David Frank. This set was presented by HRH to Jinnie Jackson, and dated March 7, 1884
First 1-volume edition, purportedly published February 1887; frontispiece by Henry French, and title-page
First American edition with Henry French frontispiece, my copy
First American edition Henry French frontispiece and title-page
Second 1-volume edition, purportedly published in 1888, with a new color frontispiece by E. Hume.
Second 1-volume edition, purportedly published in 1888, with the frontispiece by Henry French instead of E. Hume's color illustration.
My rebound 1905 SIGNED copy that HRH gifted to John Hays Hammond, part of a set of 23 volumes
One of D. Murray Smith's excellent illustrations for DAWN
See the VisualHaggard.org page dedicated to the illustrations found in various editions of DAWN
British Longmans Silver Library reprints
British Harrap reprints with original dust jackets
