The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

PYLE, Howard. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. Of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire. NY: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1929. 8vo, xxii 296pp. Brown cloth pictorially stamped in red, black, and gilt. 23 full-page b&w illustrations and numerous smaller b&w illustrations. Spine ends and corners a bit rubbed, previous owner’s address label affixed to front free endpaper, endpapers lightly aged, else a surprisingly bright copy of this classic.

1929 edition. Howard Pyle’s wonderful adaptation of this beloved legend follows Robin Hood as he becomes an outlaw after a conflict with foresters and through his many adventures and run-ins with the law. Each chapter tells a different tale of Robin as he recruits Merry Men, resists the authorities, and aids the common folk. The popular stories of Little John defeating Robin in a fight with staffs, of Robin's besting at the hands of Friar Tuck, and of his collusion with Allan-a-Dale all appear. All wonderfully captured in Pyle’s distinctive line drawings.