Black History
“Surprising Adventures of Uncle Tom Jones and the Wild Tom of the Island Retreat”
c. 1850, Paperback Book entitled, “Surprising Adventures of Uncle Tom Jones and the Wild Tom of the Island Retreat,” by Thomas H. Jones, Published by J.E. Farwell & Co, Plain and Fancy Job Printers, Boston, MA, Good.
This rare book measures 8.5” x 5.5” and is divided into two short-stories. The first is entitled, “The Surprising Adventures of Uncle Tom,” being 28 pages and is a personal narrative of the author’s life as a slave, for 40 years. The story ends with his departure (escape). The second story is entitled, “Wild Tom of the Island Retreat.” It is 26 pages and is a fictional tale about a widower grieving over the murder of his wife and he becomes an uncontrollable slave, by not being obedient. The front wrapper, cover is missing. There are two tears in the blue spine on the back cover of the book. There are scattered multiple splits and folded edges along the right side that do not disturb the printed text. Page 54 has two tear holes within the text and there is typical scattered foxing and areas of faded text. Overall, the inside binding is well secured and remains strong.
It is thought that publishing the two stories together, illustrates alternative views of slavery’s moral consequences: the enslaved must resist the forces imposed upon them by slavery or the risk of violence they have suffered at the hands of “civilized” white society.