The White Company (1922) – by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, illustrated by N.C. Wyeth

Published in 1922 by Charles Scribner’s Sons, this illustrated edition of The White Company pairs Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s sweeping historical adventure with dramatic paintings by N.C. Wyeth, one of America’s most celebrated Golden Age illustrators. Originally serialized in the late 19th century, The White Company showcases Conan Doyle’s range beyond Sherlock Holmes, delving into the 14th-century Hundred Years’ War with knights, archers, and battlefields instead of mysteries and deductions.

Set during the reign of Edward III, the novel follows Alleyne Edricson, a young man leaving monastic life to join Sir Nigel Loring and the White Company—a band of English archers fighting in France and Spain. The narrative is rich in chivalric ideals, adventure, loyalty, and the clash of cultures, as Conan Doyle brings medieval Europe to vivid life with historical detail and a flair for swashbuckling drama.

N.C. Wyeth’s illustrations in this edition elevate the text to new heights. His 16 full-color plates are charged with energy, character, and narrative weight. Wyeth captures the vigor of mounted knights, the tension of swordplay, and the romantic majesty of medieval landscapes. His style—rooted in realism and cinematic composition—conveys both historical grandeur and emotional intensity, making this edition particularly desirable to collectors of illustrated classics.

About the Illustrator:
Newell Convers Wyeth (1882–1945) was a preeminent American illustrator, trained under Howard Pyle and renowned for his work with Scribner’s Illustrated Classics series. Wyeth brought to life some of the most enduring literary figures, including those from Treasure Island, Robin Hood, and The Last of the Mohicans. His bold use of color, meticulous attention to historical accuracy, and dramatic staging made him a master visual storyteller. In The White Company, Wyeth’s images reinforce Conan Doyle’s themes of valor, camaraderie, and the heroic ideal.

Recommended for Collectors

• Men of Iron (1891) by Howard Pyle – A thematic companion with Pyle’s own illustrations
• The Boy’s King Arthur (1917) illustrated by N.C. Wyeth – For more of his medieval artistry
• Treasure Island (1911), illustrated by N.C. Wyeth – A definitive edition of Stevenson’s pirate classic with iconic imagery.
• The Black Arrow (1916), illustrated by N.C. Wyeth – Another R.L. Stevenson tale of war and adventure set during the Wars of the Roses.

Art Gallery: N.C. Wyeth – White Company 1922