"Kim", by Rudyard Kipling, illustrated with 10 plates in black and white on coated paper from bas-reliefs by the author's father, John Lockwood Kipling; published by Macmillan & Co. Ltd., London, 1901. Printed by R. & R. Clark, Limited, Edinburgh. The private inscription on the front endpaper is dated "September 1901", [while the copies of the first printing were printed in late September, the first printing was officially issued in October].

The true first impression, with two pages of ads at the rear of the book, showing KIM at the top of the list of the initial fourteen titles, and NAULAUKA at the end of the list of initial titles offered for 6s.

Reference: Richards A174; Stewart 254; Livingston 250.

While celebrated as one of the finest novels of India, noted for its vivid depiction of an exotic, crowded locale, it is also one of the first modern espionage novel. The novel made the term "Great Game" popular and introduced the theme of great power rivalry and intrigue. The story is set after the Second Afghan War which ended in 1881, but before the Third, probably in the period 1893 to 1898. The novel is notable for its detailed portrait of the people, culture, and varied religions of India. The book presents a vivid picture of India, its teeming populations, religions, and superstitions, and the life of the bazaars and the road.

"Kim" is ranked 34th on The Guardian's list of the 100 best novels and 78th on Modern Library's 100 Best English-language novels of the 20th century. In 2003, the book was listed on the BBC's The Big Read poll of the UK's "best-loved novel."

Rudyard Kipling's "Kim" tells the story of Kimball "Kim" O'Hara, an imperial orphan scavenging a hand-to-mouth existence in British India during the late 1890s. The story unfolds against the backdrop of The Great Game, the political conflict between Russia and Britain in Central Asia. Kim (Kimball O'Hara) is the orphaned son of an Irish soldier (Kimball O'Hara sr., a former color sergeant and later an employee of an Indian railway company) and a poor Irish mother (a former nanny in a colonel's household) who have both died in poverty. Living a vagabond existence in India under British rule in the late 19th century, Kim earns his living by begging and running small errands on the streets of Lahore. He occasionally works for Mahbub Ali, a Pashtun horse trader who is one of the native operatives of the British secret service. Kim is so immersed in the local culture that few realize he is a white child, although he carries a packet of documents from his father entrusted to him by an Indian woman who cared for him. Kim befriends an aged Tibetan lama who is on a quest to free himself from the Wheel of Things by finding the legendary "River of the Arrow". Kim becomes his chela, or disciple, and accompanies him on his journey. On the way, Kim incidentally learns about parts of the Great Game and is recruited by Mahbub Ali to carry a message to the head of British intelligence in Umballa. Kim's trip with the lama along the Grand Trunk Road is the first great adventure in the novel...

Doubleday, Page & Company of New York and Macmillan of London both published Rudyard Kipling's "Kim" in October 1901. Doubleday, Page & Company's 460-page edition is bound in green ribbed cloth and has 10 illustrations. This first edition has sold for up to $500. Macmillan's edition is bound in red cloth. Interestingly, this edition has sold for upwards of $25,000 (more than 50-times the value Doubleday, Page & Company's). ["Collectible Kipling Editions" bibio.com]

US: Priority (c 2-4 days) ------- $22.50
World: Express (c 5-17 days) --- $84.50

Hard boards, In publisher's original red cloth with gilt lettering on spine and gilt Ganesh elephant motif on front board; 5.1/4” x 8”; inscription on the front endpaper dated “September 1901”; 413 pages, top edge gilt; 10 photo plates on glossy paper [all listed plates are present]; 2 pages publisher's adverts at rear. Correct for the First impression with Kim at top of the list and The Naulahka at end. Price shown 6s. Some cloth soiling and wear, cloth creases between spine and boards, a little foxing and a few small stains, the page #405/406 has a small margin damage that looks like a production error [see photo], very good condition.