Black Beauty, written by Anna Sewell, illustrated by Wm. M. Hutchinson . Whitman Classics edition, published by Whitman Publishing, Racine Wisconsin  and printed in the U.S.A. in 1955. Copyright 1955.  The book is 285 printed pages, hardcover, measures 7 3/4" x 5 1/2" (197mm x 140mm).

Condition: The book is in very good condition. The interior pages have yellowing due to age (see photos)

Synopsis: Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty, in this 1955 Whitman edition, tells the story of a handsome black horse who narrates his own life, beginning with a happy upbringing on an English country estate. After being sold away from his first home, Beauty passes through a succession of owners and experiences both kindness and cruelty. He encounters overworked horses, harsh drivers, dangerous working conditions, and the painful consequences of practices such as the bearing rein, while also meeting people who treat animals with compassion and respect.

Through Beauty’s experiences, Sewell presents a powerful appeal for humane treatment of animals. Despite the hardships he endures, Beauty remains gentle and dignified, and his story ultimately leads him to a safe and peaceful home. The novel is both an engaging adventure told from a horse’s perspective and a social commentary on the treatment of working animals in Victorian England.