For your consideration is this 1925 First Edition of “The Drifting Cowboy”, written and illustrated by Will James and published by Grosset & Dunlap. The seven stories collected here revolve around the adventures of a lanky cowboy named Bill, whose drifting takes him throughout the West as he lives the hard life of a working cowboy. Will James (1892-1942), a Canadian-American artist and writer of the American West, known for writing "Smoky The Cowhorse" for which he won the 1927 Newbery Medal, was born Joseph Ernest Nephtali Dufault. It was during his creative years everyone grew to know him as Will James. During the next several years, he drifted, worked at several jobs, was briefly jailed for cattle rustling, served in the army, and began selling his sketches. His artwork, which predominantly involved cowboy and rodeo scenes, followed "in the tradition of Charles Russell", and much of it was used to illustrate his books. A former Montanan, in 1992 he was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The largest public collection of James' writings, artwork, and personal effects is preserved at the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings, Montana. This rare book is in good overall condition. The tan cloth bound cover is in good condition, minimal scuffing to edges noted, a steer skull illustration is stamped on the front cover, gold gilt title and stamped illustration of a lariat and rifle on spine. Spine is loose but attached, intact pages exhibit age tanning, foxing not noted. Measures 5.5"W x 8.25"L x .75"D