Anna Sewell's Black Beauty met with huge success both in the UK and in the US. When it first appeared in Boston in 1890, publishers touted not only its sales record in the UK, but went so far as to call it the "Uncle Tom's Cabin" of horses. While somewhat unsettling, the story has proved the test of time, finding its way to readers in numerous formats. This 1952 illustrated edition offers the story to slightly younger readers, having been adapted by the illustrator himself.

Paul Brown is considered one of America's leading illustrators of equestrian subjects. He not only illustrated books, but also many magazines, as well as three decades worth of Brooks Brothers catalogues. Lively and strong-edged, but also movingly empathetic, his style is captured perfectly in the simple dedicatory drawing on the front free endpaper of this copy.

First Paul Brown edition, inscribed by the illustrator with a small sketch to front free endpaper, oblong 4to., unpaged, illustrated throughout with 180 pencil and wash drawings by famed American equine illustrator Paul Brown, original decorated tan cloth, dust wrapper lightly rubbed, two short closed tears to upper edge of front wrapper, an attractive copy with a charming dedicatory sketch by Brown.