HANS BRINKER: or The Silver Skates: A Story of Life in Holland

Hans Brinker, or TheSilver Skates: A Story of Life in Hollandis a novel by American author Mary Mapes Dodge, first published in 1865. The story takes place in the Netherlands and is a colorful fictional portrait of early 19th-century Dutch life, as well as a tale of youthful honor.

The book's title refers to the beautiful silver skates to be awarded to the winner of the ice-skating race Hans Brinker hopes to enter. The novel introduced the sport of Dutch speed skating to Americans, and Hans Brinker is still considered the prototypical speedskater. The book also gave us the story of the little Dutch boy who plugs a dike with his finger.

I have looked everywhere and can't find an identical copy of this book.

It is undated but, because of the style of illustrations and type, I'm dating it at 1925. Published by Grosset & Dunlap as part of the Companion Library.

It is blue boards heavily etched with a black design—on both covers and the spine. 336 pages, all clean and clear, although starting to darken. There's a little bit of shelf wear. Lovely little book.

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