Bombardment of Scarbro by the Russian Fleet in 1891

1889, a rare, humorous, addition to Invasion Literature

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

Undated [1889]. First edition. Card covers with printed titling. String binding. 18.5 × 12.5cm, 37pp.

Not signed as such but this is possibly the author's copy as pages 8, 9, 10, 32, 33 & 34 have pencil annotations and edits, altering the character's names, and the text, updating it from Russian to German.

Full title: Bombardment of Scarbro by the Russian Fleet in 1891, and Terrr-ific Battle of Scalby Beck, and Other Stories

A rare addition to the Invasion Literature canon (although in a satirical vein) that was popular from the 1870s to the beginning of the Great War. This short story opens with a telegram from the War office stating Scarbro (Scarborough) might be bombarded at any moment by the Russians, who had already defeated the British in Afghanistan, and India was there for the taking... the French had taken the Channel Islands. The Russians invade, take the local dignatories prisoner (the prisoners being bound for the mines of Siberia, but the town doesn't mind). Even the local model yacht club sail out to meet the enemy but are captured witha shrimping net. The enemy invade and advance and are fought off at Scalby Beck, the story becomes more and more humorous and farcical. This is followed by five short stories of local interest.

I can find no clues to the author's real identity.

Condition

A rare copy but in fair condition only. The covers are rubbed and a bit creased to the edges. The string binding is holding but the pages are starting to move. And, as mentioned, six pages have pencil annotations, at some times extensive.