First English Edition of RUDYARD KIPLING'S KIM Book 1901 London limited

“THERE IS NO SIN SO GREAT AS IGNORANCE. REMEMBER THIS": FIRST ENGLISH EDITION OF RUDYARD KIPLING'S KIM Purchased in Paris book store “Shakespeare and Co” London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1901. First English edition of what many consider Kipling’s masterpiece. Octavo, original cloth. Illustrated with photographs of clay reliefs by John Lockwood Kipling including tissue-guarded frontispiece, two pages of advertisements at rear. In fine condition. Housed in a custom half morocco made by Asprey and Garrard. An exceptional example. Kim unfolds against the backdrop of The Great Game, the political conflict between Russia and Britain in Central Asia. The novel is notable for its detailed portrait of the people, culture, and varied religions of India. "Considered by many to be Kipling's masterpiece, opinion appears varied about its consideration as children's literature or not. Roger Sale, in his history of children's literature, concludes "Kim is the apotheosis of the Victorian cult of childhood, but it shines now as bright as ever, long after the Empire's collapse." It was the basis for the 1950 film starring Errol Flynn, Dean Stockwell, and Paul Lukas. Named by Modern Library as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. In 2003 the book was listed on the BBC's The Big Read poll of the UK's "best-loved novel." 413 pages. 5.25 x 7.75 inches Fine condition