Horatio Alger

Sixteen-year-old Philip Brent leaves his small hometown to seek his fortune in 1880s New York after his spiteful stepmother reveals that instead of being his late father's beloved only son, he is of unknown parentage and must fend for himself in this classic rags to riches tale. The Errand Boy is an exciting and inspirational story about the power of hard work, honesty, and above all, kindness. Sixteen-year-old Philip Brent leaves his small hometown to seek his fortune in 1880s New York after his spiteful stepmother reveals that instead of being his late father's beloved only son, he is of unknown parentage and must fend for himself. Unwilling to endure a life of dependence on those who despise him and have cheated him Philip strikes out on his own. Alger wrote to instill the principle of Strive and Succeed, Personal Growth and Achievement-to attain the American dream. He inspired countless millions of young people world-wide and was the Mark Victor Hanson and Tony Robbins of his era.

Rare edition with unique illustrations and elegant classic cream paper. Gerald Lane heads west to seek his fortune and claim the money owed his father by an unscrupulous former business partner. This edition of the book contains five original illustrations by J. Watson Davis that have been restored as closely as possible to their original condition. Horatio Alger, Jr. (January 13, 1832 - July 18, 1899) was a prolific 19th-century American author, best known for his many formulaic juvenile novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of middle-class security and comfort through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on America during the Gilded Age. Includes vintage illustration