I still remember the day that I opened an old copy of Treasure Island and read these words:
And so begins one of the world’s greatest pirate novels with arguably the most well-known map included in a book. This is the classic adventure written by Robert Louis Stevenson, which tells the tale of the innkeeper’s son, Jim Hawkins, who finds himself in possession of a map that will lead him to an island where a pirate’s treasure is buried. To reach the gold, Jim must deal with scoundrels, thieves, beasts, and the pirate Long John Silver. This is where everything we associate with pirates are first found including parrots, eye patches, pirate slang, deserted islands, and an x marking the spot for buried treasure.
1906 Edition
Stevenson based his novel on an event that happened in 1750. The Spanish galleon, Nuestra Senora de Guadelupe, was traveling from Cuba to Spain when it was caught in a hurricane and ended up near the outer banks of North Carolina. Damaged and unable to sail, the ship was towed to the Ocracok Inlet with its million dollar cargo aboard. Two merchant captains from Virginia stole the silver, sailed away, and buried it in the British Virgin Islands.
Lloyd Osbourne, Stevenson’s stepson drew a map which inspired the book. Young Lloyd wrote:
“… busy with a box of paints I happened to be tinting a map of an island I had drawn. Stevenson came in as I was finishing it, and with his affectionate interest in everything I was doing, leaned over my shoulder, and was soon elaborating the map and naming it. I shall never forget the thrill of Skeleton Island, Spyglass Hill, nor the heart-stirring climax of the three red crosses! And the greater climax still when he wrote down the words “Treasure Island” at the top right-hand corner! And he seemed to know so much about it too – the pirates, the buried treasure, the man who had been marooned on the island … . “Oh, for a story about it”, I exclaimed, in a heaven of enchantment …”
Stevenson went on to write Treasure Island, which was first published in serial form in the children’s magazine, Young Folks, between 1881 and 1882. It was published as a book in 1883 by Cassel & Co.
First Edition 1883
Stevenson drew an elaborate map of the island and sent it to his publisher. Unfortunately, the publisher somehow misplaced it and Stevenson had to draw a new one which he never thought was as good as the first.
This map which has appeared in every edition of Treasure Island since its first appearance in book form in 1883.
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson illustrated by N. C. Wyeth, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1911
Treasure Island Day is celebrated each year on November 13th. Just for fun, here is a link of food ideas to serve at your Treasure Island inspired party.
Here is a link to the full text of Treasure Island. I suggest, however, that you find an old illustrated edition for your reading pleasure.
This is the last week of the April A to Z Blog Challenge where bloggers post throughout the month on a theme in alphabetical order. This year I have been featuring maps found in children’s books. One of the best things about the challenge is discovering other great blogs to follow. Here are a few I am following:
Stephany Forgue Houghtlin is taking readers on an alphabetical tour of independent bookstores- my new travel wish list!
Deborah Weber is creating a manifesto of creative wonder with words of significance to her. Inspiring!
Dragon’s Eye View because Everything is better with dragons!
Jen’s Lexical Creations who is perking up our literary ears with onomatopoeia all things sound… in written form – fun!
This is not now, but it was one of my favourite books as a child. I read it, I guess, more than fifty times, as I did with two or three more books (I was kind of obsessed with some stories!). Maybe part of my fascination by maps comes from this book.
But, until now, I hadn’t realised it was based in a true fact. Well, I had never researched… It is just too good as a fictional story!
I didn’t know that it was based on a true story, either. It has been a fun month learning about so many wonderful maps in books.
What a great topic for “T”! I did not know the background story. Love old maps. The old book cover is great. Learning old book binding techniques and creating my own books is another side line of mine so seeing older covers & interiors grabs me. Your theme is well done.
Thanks Linda, I had a few choices for books that start with T but this one is certainly the most interesting. I would love to learn book binding techniques.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Claire Annette – such a great read … so interesting to know more about how Treasure Island came to be written – and what a huge pity the first map got ‘lost’ (buried with the treasure?!) – love this and those links to the food ideas – cheers Hilary
Treasure Island – one of the best. Thanks for the interesting lesson!
For the letter K, I wrote about a famous Bookstore in Chicago, Kroch & Brentano’s where my father bought me most of my childhood books. Treasure Island was part of a classic series at the time and I remember my mother reading it to e for the first time. I no longer have a copy, but will take care of that post haste. Here is another great example of this brilliant theme and the execution of it for the #Challenge. Thank you.
Stevenson is one of my favourite authors. I discovered him with his short stories and when I eventually read Treasure Island a few years ago I was smashed.
First I thought: wait, what was Stevenson doing in the XIX century? This is clearly a film subject!
Then I thought: of course this is a classic of literature. Thsi is fantastic! Such great characters, such awesome plot!
I nead to rearead it.