The Five Nations

London: Methuen and Co., 1903. First edition. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 8" by 5". None. A pleasing first edition first issue copy of this renowned collection of poetry by Rudyard Kipling. A first edition first issue copy, with the issue point of 'David' to page 56 line 9 (that was later changed to 'Saul') and publisher's advertisements dated 'July 1903'. This work is split into two sections: the first covering a wide range of subjects and the second section entitled 'Service Songs', containing poems about British soldiers at the turn of the twentieth century. Kipling is best known for his novel 'The Jungle Book', however he was a prolific writer of poems, novels, and short stories. Being born in India inspired much of his work, and he went on to become one of the most popular writers of his time. With an extensive publisher's catalogue to the rear of the work, dated 'July 1903'. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with gilt title to spine. Externally excellent with minor shelfwear to extremities and slight fading to spine, as expected with this colour binding. Small ink mark to head of spine. Age toning to endpapers. Internally firmly bound. Pages slightly age toned to extremities but very bright and clean. The odd spot to first and last few pages and fore edges, only visible to textblock. The occasional page uncut throughout. Very Good Indeed