Shanghai, Printed at the American Presbyterian Mission Press, 1913.
Second edition. 8vo. Contemporary half sheep.
The Shanghai Vernacular Society was a Victorian group dedicated to the study and preservation of the local dialects in Shanghai. This second edition provides an extensive vocabulary list for the Shanghai dialect, serving as a valuable resource for linguistic studies and historical research.
Weird & Supernatural
London, Philip Allan, 1934.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 2/6.
This anthology is part of the "Creeps" series and includes ten stories of supernatural and horror themes. Notably, it features the first book appearance of "The Two Bottles of Relish," a story known for its twist ending.
American Literature
London, Chatto & Windus, 1951.
First UK edition, first impression. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, 9s6d.
A collection of six stories featuring Gavin Stevens, the county attorney of Faulkner's fictional Yoknapatawpha County. Stevens investigates various crimes, offering insights into human nature and justice. The stories blend elements of mystery and Southern Gothic.
War, Invasion & Spy
Edinburgh & London, William Blackwood & Sons, 1915.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original blue cloth lettered in black.
First edition of Buchan's classic tale of adventure and espionage, introducing the character Richard Hannay.
Children's Books
London, Macmillan, 1950.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original pictorial cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 8s6d.
In this sixth installment of the 'Adventure' series, Philip, Dinah, Lucy-Ann and Jack embark on a Mediterranean cruise. A birthday gift - a ship in a bottle - reveals a hidden treasure map, leading the children on a quest to find the lost treasure of the Andra, while evading dangerous adversaries.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
An Occult Novel
London, Rider & Co., [1946].
First edition. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 9/6.
Reginald-listed occult novel, by the author of The Ritual of Higher Magic (1947).
Detective Fiction
The Adventures of a Female Craig Kennedy
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1917.
First edition, early impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 1/-.
Constance Dunlap is a young, intelligent woman in New York who turns to crime out of boredom, becoming a master thief adept at disguise and deception, until love gets in the way. First published in 1916, any WWI time issues in jackets are scarce and sought-after.
Detective Fiction
London, Arrowsmith, 1930.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original black cloth lettered in purple to spine. Dust-jacket, priced 3/6.
Luke Allan was the pseudonym of William Lacey Amy, a Canadian author who wrote numerous adventure and crime novels in the early 20th century.
Detective Fiction
London, Arrowsmith, 1935.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
Luke Allan was the pseudonym of William Lacey Amy, a Canadian author who wrote numerous adventure and crime novels in the early 20th century.
Weird & Supernatural
Thomson (Christine Campbell, editor) The “Not at Night” Omnibus
London, Selwyn & Blount, 1937.
First edition. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 2/6.
The twelfth volume in the famous "Not at Night" series, compiling 35 horror stories from the earlier Not at Night series, which spanned eleven volumes from 1925 to 1936. The collection includes works by authors such as H. P. Lovecraft, Seabury Quinn, and Frank Belknap Long, all managed splendidly by the editor Christine Campbell Thomson (1897–1985), who also wrote under the pseudonym Flavia Richardson.
Children's Books
For Little Children
London, Macmillan, 1902.
First edition, first impression. Small 4to. Original red pictorial cloth.
This collection of origin stories explains how various animals acquired their distinctive features, such as "How the Leopard Got His Spots." The tales are known for their imaginative narratives and playful language.
![Robert Paye [Marjorie Bowen], Julia Roseingrave, first edition, 1933](https://lycanthiabooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/86922-300x300.jpg)
Weird & Supernatural
London, Ernest Benn, 1933.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth.
'An excellent witchcraft novel, arguably Bowen's best work in the genre' (Shadows in the Attic, p.97). Uncommon.
Non-Fiction
A Manual of the Science
London, Harrison and Sons, [c.1920].
First edition. 8vo. Original cloth.
Captain Leopold McLaglen (1884–1951) was a British martial artist and instructor who promoted jiu-jitsu in the UK and abroad. He was known for his demonstrations and teaching of self-defense techniques.
Detective Fiction
London, Eyre & Spottiswoode, n.d..
Early printing. 8vo. Original yellow cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 2/6.
An attractive example of this work by a prolific author. The jacket gives both Eyre & Spottiswoode and Thornton Butterworth as the publishers, perhaps due to the former acquiring a significant portion of Thornton Butterworth's business following the destruction of the latter's offices during the Blitz.
Detective Fiction
London, Nelson, 1929.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
The mysterious death of a woman leads to the investigation of psychological and societal themes.
Modern Literature
London, Bodley Head, 1928.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original red decorative cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
"Joshua Fendick had reached the stage in his life where he was ready to quit his job of wealth and cross the frontier of the matter-of-fact into the Land of Illusion. An old desire asserted itself and Joshua became a sculptor. And like Pygmalion in the old myth, Joshua fell in love with his creation—or rather, with the model it resembled..." Attractive dust-jacket artwork.
Modern Literature
Livingston (Armstrong) and Thomas H. Griffiths. The Juju Man
New York, Siebel, 1926.
First edition, first printing. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket.
"There are some fine thoroughbred scoundrels in this tale of the dark and mysterious African bush..." (jacket blurb). An attractive first edition.
Modern Literature
London, Chatto & Windus, 1936.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket.
Attractive jacket on this first edition of New Zealand author Escott's most famous work, set in New Zealand.
Detective Fiction
London, Stanley Paul, [1934].
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
Frank Hird (1873–1937) was a British journalist and author, known for his relationship with Lord Ronald Gower. He wrote various works, including biographies and novels.
Detective Fiction
London, Harrap, 1940.
First edition, first impression. Publisher's compliments copy. 8vo. Original blue cloth blocked in yellow. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
An architect unearths the secrets of old buildings to reveal the identity of a cunning murderer.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Vol.3. No.1
Leeds, Futurian War Digest, October 1942.
Small 4to. Original pictorial stapled wrappers.
An interesting and uncommon war-time fanzine, featuring articles, stories and commentary on science fiction & fandom. This issue includes a response from Olaf Stapledon, indicating that he was too busy at the time to read the vast quantities of material sent to him, but thanking the Futurians nevertheless for thinking of him.
The editor J. Michael Rosenblum was a prominent figure in British science fiction fandom, known for his dedication to the genre despite challenging times. Accompanying the fanzine is a printed calling card from the editor, indicating this was a specimen copy, possibly for review.
American Literature
and other stories
London, Macmillan, 1905.
First UK edition, Colonial issue. 8vo. Original dark blue cloth lettered in gilt with blind-stamped decoration to upper cover.
The title story follows Ralph Orth, a writer who inherits an English estate and becomes obsessed with portraits of two children, leading to supernatural experiences. Gertrude Atherton (1857–1948) was an American novelist known for her works on women's rights and historical fiction. She was a prominent literary figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Detective Fiction
London, Wright & Brown, [1937].
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original orange cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 4/6.
Classic crime fiction by prolific author Roland Daniel.
Detective Fiction
Morton (Anthony, pseud. John Creasey) The Baron and the Beggar
London, Sampson Low, Marston, [1947].
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original black cloth lettered in red. Dust-jacket, priced 8s6d.
This novel is part of the "Baron" series, featuring John Mannering, a former jewel thief turned antique dealer and sleuth. In this installment, Mannering becomes entangled in a case involving a beggar, leading to a complex investigation. Creasey created numerous series characters, such as "The Toff," "Gideon of Scotland Yard," and "Dr. Palfrey."
Modern Literature
London, Hutchinson, 1963.
First edition. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket, priced 16s.
The novel centers on Wilson Iyari, a Nigerian public relations officer whose personal and professional lives collide, leading to a crisis that challenges his ideals. Cyprian Ekwensi (1921–2007) was a prominent Nigerian author known for his urban-themed novels and contributions to African literature.
African literature
London, Faber & Faber, 1958.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 18s.
The story follows Adebisi, an 18-year-old huntress who embarks on a quest to find her four brothers lost in the Jungle of the Pygmies, facing various supernatural challenges. Amos Tutuola (1920–1997) was a Nigerian writer known for incorporating Yoruba folklore into his works. His debut novel, The Palm-Wine Drinkard, gained international acclaim.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
London, Michael Joseph, 1955.
First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 10s6d.
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the story follows David Strorm and his telepathic friends in a society that persecutes mutations. They seek a safe haven where they can live freely.
Detective Fiction
London, Jarrolds, 1938.
'Fifth Thousand', 3/6 edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth lettered in black to spine. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 3/6.
Hubin-listed crime thriller. Jessie Louisa Rickard (1876–1963), also known as Mrs. Victor Rickard, was an Irish novelist who wrote over forty novels. She preferred the name Mrs. Victor Rickard to avoid association with a murder victim of the same name.