For your consideration is this 1884, first edition of, "The Life of Crockett” by Edward S. Ellis, copy-righted by Porter & Coates and published by The John C. Winston Company. This biography of Davy Crockett, the scout, hunter, woodsman, and congressman, is lively and comprehensive. Ellis, best known as the author of "The Steam Man of the Prairies" and the Deerfoot novels, is a skillful purveyor of Americana. Here is a bit of his deliciously overheated opening to the book... "'Make room for Colonel Crockett!' said the usher at the White House, one evening, when the famous Congressman from the backwoods presented himself with a number of other callers. 'Colonel Crockett makes room for himself!' was the exclamation of the Member as he strode into the room. The incident is typical of the man. Gifted by nature with an exhaustless fund of humor, born to privation, hardship and labor, trained, not in the school of books, but in the severer one of experience, he exhibited true manliness, honesty and bravery in all his words and actions." Ellis does not attempt to maintain this sort tone for the entire biography, revealing that he can be an historian and grounding his love of incident in historical fact. Edward Sylvester Ellis (1840-1916) was an American author. Ellis was a teacher, school administrator, journalist, and the author of hundreds of books and magazine articles that he produced by his name and by a number of pen names. The tan cloth bound stamped illustrated hardcover is in good condition overall with some wear present from its age and use over the years, but no major signs of damage is noted. Marked with pen on the back of the front cover, but interior pages show good condition overall with little to no foxing or staining present. It measures 7 1/2" L x 5 1/8" W x 1 1/8" D and weighs 14 ounces.