Uncle Tom's Cabin

This edition offers a unique look at Uncle Tom's Cabin, highlighting its historical impact and featuring all original illustrations alongside a detailed introduction.

This edition presents a faithful reproduction of the rare 'Splendid Edition' of Harriet Beecher Stowe's renowned novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. It features all 117 illustrations created by Hammatt Billings, alongside a comprehensive introduction by acclaimed historian David S. Reynolds. This introduction provides valuable insights into the historical context surrounding the novel, enhancing the reader's understanding of its significance.

When Uncle Tom's Cabin was first published in 1852, it ignited a cultural sensation due to its strong antislavery stance. The book became a pivotal influence in shaping public opinion leading up to the Civil War. By highlighting the moral failures of slavery, it intensified the conflict between the North and South, selling over 300,000 copies in the U.S. and over a million internationally within its first year, marking it as the best-selling book of the nineteenth century.

To take advantage of its immense popularity, a lavishly illustrated edition was released for the Christmas season, known as the 'Splendid Edition.' This deluxe version included over one hundred detailed engravings by Billings, which effectively complemented the narrative's abolitionist themes. For the first time, this facsimile edition allows readers to engage with Uncle Tom's Cabin in a visually rich format, making it a poignant experience of the historical moment it represents.