![Alternative view of [anon.] Ghost-Stories;](https://lycanthiabooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/85345_2-300x400.jpg)
Horror & Gothic
collected with a particular view to counteract the vulgar belief in ghosts and apparitions
London, Ackermann, 1823.
First edition. 8vo. Original boards, printed spine label.
A rare and intriguing work on ghost stories, '...based on the theme of false supernaturalism.' (Bleiler)
Illustrated Books
London, The Decoy Press, 1919.
Vol.II only (of 2 published, from a projected series of 12). 8vo. Title printed in red & black. Original quarter linen with paper boards, gilt spine titling.
Change was a brief socialist, illustrated periodical released in the year following the Great War, embodying post-war aspiration. Though twelve issues were intended, only two volumes saw publication. These editions showcased woodcuts and illustrations from artists like Lovat Fraser, Robert Gibbings and Eric Gill among others, both standalone and accompanying the mix of prose, verse, and a detective story, 'The Private Papers of the Oubliette Club.'
War, Invasion & Spy
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1936.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
Asian adventure from Haggard-esque author Gompertz. Uncommon in the jacket.
Modern Literature
London, Rich & Cowan, Ltd, 1936.
First edition. 8vo. Contemporary library cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A prequel to Doctor Syn. A Tale of the Romey Marsh, seeing the good doctor terrorising the high seas on a revenge mission, prior to settling back down to administer the Word of the Lord.
Horror & Gothic
London, Philip Allan & Co. Ltd., 1931.
First edition. 8vo. Original grey cloth.
The third of this author's ghost story anthologies.
Detective Fiction
London, Frederick Muller Ltd, 1952.
First edition. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced for 9/6.
Excellent jacket artwork on this first edition by Australian writer and playwright Rienits, the work that garnered him success in the UK and led to him becoming a successful scriptwriter for the BBC.
19th century literature
London, Ward & Lock, [?1860].
?First UK edition, possibly first book edition. 8vo. Contemporary half calf.
A hugely popular novel at the time of publication, originally serialised in The New York Ledger in 1859. The story centers on Capitola Black, a playful and audacious orphan girl who, after a series of circumstances, comes to live with her wealthy but unloving uncle in Virginia. Capitola is a tomboyish and adventurous heroine, often dressed in male attire, and she manages to survive numerous threats from a sinister villain named Black Donald who has connections to her mysterious past. Notable for its unusual treatment of gender and race issues for the time, presenting a strong, independent female character as its protagonist and incorporating discussion of the abolitionist movement. Southworth's portrayal of Capitola was significant during a time when the women's suffrage movement was gaining momentum in America.
We can trace no copies of this particular edition, at auction or in institutions - a reference to an edition published by Ward & Lock can be found in Bent's Monthly Literary Advertiser for September 1859. The Fleet Street imprint here suggests the edition was at least printed prior to 1878.
Detective Fiction
London, Cassel and Company Ltd, 1929.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
An attractive first edition of this compilation of Chesterton's famous Father Brown stories.
American Literature
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1926.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original blue boards. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
An uncommon first UK edition of this tale, boldly announcing on the jacket 'this entertaining story of the Sunny South'. Colver was a prolific author, best remembered today perhaps for her Joan Foster series.
Modern Literature
A political thriller
London, Constable & Co Ltd, 1937.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
Attractive jacket artwork graces this self-styled 'political thriller' set mainly in a north-country mining town.
American Literature
London, Faber and Faber Limited, 1933.
First UK edition of the author's first novel. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket, clipped but with price 3/6 present.
The author's first novel, set in Cuba and charting the experiences of a Spanish emigree making a life for himself in the 'new world'. Compared (by the publishers at least) to Thornton Wilder's Bridge of San Luis Rey.
Weird & Supernatural
Translated by Edgar Jepson.
London, Hurst and Blackett, 1912.
First UK edition. 8vo. 24 page publisher's catalogue to rear dated Autumn 1912. Original black cloth lettered & blocked in gilt.
A 1903 novel by Gaston Leroux, author of The Phantom of the Opera. The story follows M. Theophrastus Longuet who is possessed by the soul of 'Cartouche', a notorious brigand from the 18th century. Longuet begins to exhibit Cartouche's personality traits, including a love of violence and a disregard for authority. He also begins to wear a black feather in his hat, which is Cartouche's trademark... A pleasing example of an uncommon edition.