The Stratemeyer Syndicate dominated the young people's novel series market for many years. One of their best known pseudonyms was Victor Appleton, whose name was attached to the ever-popular Tom Swift series. Many of their series eventually lost their popularity and sales declined. This occurred with another Appleton boys' adventure series, Don Sturdy, published by Grosset & Dunlap. This was an above-average series with some great titles. By the time ...HARPOON HUNTERS (#13) was published, the Syndicate knew the series had run its course, and no more titles were published. The book has neat illustrated end papers and frontispiece by Nat Falk. In the Don Sturdy ad at the back, only the previous 12 titles are listed, a indication that this is the first (only?)edition. This copy is in unusually nice shape, with modestly bumped cover corners, a light dent on the back cover, a few bumped page edges and corner creases, moderately toned pages and a name on the front pastedown. The scarce dust jacket is missing. Secure binding, no external fading -- a generally sharp-looking copy of an uncommon book. This is your best deal on a 1st edition of this title.