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The Ruby of Kishmoor
This is a facsimile reprint of the original book by Howard Pyle, rebuilt using the latest technology. There are no poor, missing or blurred pages and all photographic images have been professionally restored. At Yokai Publishing we believe that by restoring this title to print it will live on for generations to come.
81 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1908
About the author
Howard Pyle
776 books329 followersHoward Pyle was an American illustrator and author, primarily of books for young people.
During 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists and Wyeth family artists of the Brandywine region by Pitz. Some of his more famous students were N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Elenore Abbott, Ethel Franklin Betts, Anna Whelan Betts, Harvey Dunn, Clyde O. DeLand, Philip R. Goodwin, Violet Oakley, Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle, Olive Rush, Allen Tupper True, and Jessie Willcox Smith.
His 1883 classic publication The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood remains in print, and his other books, frequently with medieval European settings, include a four-volume set on King Arthur. He is also well known for his illustrations of pirates, and is credited with creating the now stereotypical modern image of pirate dress. He published an original novel, Otto of the Silver Hand, in 1888. He also illustrated historical and adventure stories for periodicals such as Harper's Weekly and St. Nicholas Magazine. His novel Men of Iron was made into a movie in 1954, The Black Shield of Falworth.
Pyle travelled to Florence, Italy to study mural painting during 1910, and died there in 1911 from a kidney infection (Bright's Disease).
His sister Katharine Pyle was also a writer and illustrator. Their mother was the children's author and translator M.C. Pyle.
During 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration named the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists and Wyeth family artists of the Brandywine region by Pitz. Some of his more famous students were N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Elenore Abbott, Ethel Franklin Betts, Anna Whelan Betts, Harvey Dunn, Clyde O. DeLand, Philip R. Goodwin, Violet Oakley, Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle, Olive Rush, Allen Tupper True, and Jessie Willcox Smith.
His 1883 classic publication The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood remains in print, and his other books, frequently with medieval European settings, include a four-volume set on King Arthur. He is also well known for his illustrations of pirates, and is credited with creating the now stereotypical modern image of pirate dress. He published an original novel, Otto of the Silver Hand, in 1888. He also illustrated historical and adventure stories for periodicals such as Harper's Weekly and St. Nicholas Magazine. His novel Men of Iron was made into a movie in 1954, The Black Shield of Falworth.
Pyle travelled to Florence, Italy to study mural painting during 1910, and died there in 1911 from a kidney infection (Bright's Disease).
His sister Katharine Pyle was also a writer and illustrator. Their mother was the children's author and translator M.C. Pyle.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 12, 2021
For me Howard Pyle has some wonderful stories and some that make you scratch your head! This book almost defies description for me but I'll try...First I wouldn't hand it to anyone to read, too many better stories to read. To me it felt like Pyle scribbled down a sketch of some ideas he had for a novel and someone mistakenly published it! The story briefly describes an ignorant man finding himself in compromising situations due to his ignorance and by dumb luck does not end up dead by the end of the book. There are uncomplimentary descriptions of Jamaicans I found unkind. Finally the story surrounds a "damsel in distress" that uses unwise and potentially even immoral methods to get help she feels she needs. This isn't a book I would want to hand to a reader without discernment or maturity.
July 13, 2025
I enjoyed the tenor of the story, but its main character is the most naive and clearly stupid I may ever have seen. This guy shows off the “ivory ball” he was asked to hold onto for a beautiful, veiled woman to 3 strangers, one after the other - so, not once, but *thrice* - only to - shocker - discover that they were unsavory characters who attempt to kill him. Miraculously, and unbelievably, they manage to kill themselves during their fights with him - pure luck. He should be dead.
Even so, I enjoy the comfort of classics like this. Howard Pyle does seem to enjoy his Quakers? 😆
Even so, I enjoy the comfort of classics like this. Howard Pyle does seem to enjoy his Quakers? 😆
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2017
So bizarre and shorter than I anticipated, but enjoyable.
March 24, 2021
My nine-year-old gave this five stars but says it is not as good as Robin Hood (Pyle's other book). I like that the main character is so honorable.
May 17, 2022
✒️Adventure!
This is a fun adventure short story surrounding a beautiful and coveted ruby. There are a few plot twists and colorful characters.
It was a little slow-going for me, and it seemed somewhat disjointed, but it still is a good story. I would think that this would be a good type of book for anyone, including youngsters, who like the swashbuckler tale.
My quick research of Howard Pyle‘s life reveals that he is responsible for our image of pirates – mainly their dress; think of Errol Flynn as a pirate in his 1940 movie, The Sea-Hawk.
📕 Published— 1908.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3687
🟣Kindle version.
“It is that priceless gem known as the Ruby of Kishmoor . . . a red stone of about the bigness of a plover's egg . . .”
This is a fun adventure short story surrounding a beautiful and coveted ruby. There are a few plot twists and colorful characters.
It was a little slow-going for me, and it seemed somewhat disjointed, but it still is a good story. I would think that this would be a good type of book for anyone, including youngsters, who like the swashbuckler tale.
My quick research of Howard Pyle‘s life reveals that he is responsible for our image of pirates – mainly their dress; think of Errol Flynn as a pirate in his 1940 movie, The Sea-Hawk.
📕 Published— 1908.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3687
🟣Kindle version.
June 27, 2009
Jonathan Rugg, the hero, is one unique man. Loyal and trustworthy.
His unexpected adventure showed his bravery and courage. He had the strength to fight of evil even if he knew he had what it takes to be one. Much like Harry Potter. :b
His unexpected adventure showed his bravery and courage. He had the strength to fight of evil even if he knew he had what it takes to be one. Much like Harry Potter. :b
April 15, 2015
I'm really enjoying reading Howard Pyle. I believe he's a lost treasure of Am. Adolescent Lit.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews