First Edition in near fine condition. The Macmillan Company, New York July 1903. Together with a red custom-made quarter-leather slipcase. Without the scarce to get dust jacket. Top edge of text block in gilt. With one frontispiece and 17 one page illustrations. 2 pages of adverts at the end of the book.
At the end of the 19th century, 'Buck' a dog lives in the Santa Clara Valley south of San Francisco. One day, he is kidnapped by his owner's gardener due to gambling debts and taken to the Klondike region of Alaska as a sled dog, where he fights his way to the top of the sled dog pack. As events unfold, the ‘call of the wild’, the ancient heritage of his wolfish ancestors, reaches him more and more. After many adventures with constantly changing sled guides, Buck is rescued by John Thornton. The two become an inseparable couple; he loves Thornton and rescues him from a raging river. After the death of his last master, the dog, who now has no more ties to humans, answers the call once and for all and joins a pack of wolves and become their leader after some fierce battles.
The book is in near fine condition except the white paint (snow) on the front board is miniscule rubbed and the spine ends shows little signs of wear. The red custom-made quarter-leather slipcase has little rubbing at the edges of the spine.
A book in an absolutely collectable condition that is regarded as London's masterpiece.
