Bram Stoker Birthday
London, Heinemann, 1908.
First edition, inscribed presentation copy from the author. 8vo. Original red cloth, stamped in black to upper cover and gilt to spine.
Inscribed on preliminary page to: 'Mrs George Burrell with Bram Stoker's (respectful) love 8/6/09'
Mrs. George Burrell is most likely the wife of the Glasgow shipping magnate, a tremendously important and influential figure in late 19th century shipping, who like many rich Victorians became something of a patron of the arts.
Children's Books
The original text of Peter & Wendy...newly illustrated by Edmund Blampied
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1939.
First Blampied edition. Small 4to. Illustrations and plates. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 10/6.
A wonderful illustrated edition of Barrie's classic for children.
London, Duckworth, 1937.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket.
Of some sci-fi & fantasy interest, featuring in Bleiler's Checklist of science-fiction and supernatural fiction and Reginald's Science fiction and fantasy literature.
Modern Literature
London, Macmillan, 1941.
First edition. 8vo. Original pink cloth. Dust-jacket.
The story of a young composer who, under the auspices of a mysterious millionaire, looks forward to a sumptuous production of his first symphony. Nice copy.
Weird & Supernatural
London, Grant & Murray, 1932.
First edition. 8vo. Original buff cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
One of the rarest books by Scottish journalist, poet and scholar of the occult Lewis Spence, who wrote many books on mythology, folklore and paranormal phenomena. He was also a prolific writer of fiction, especially in the genres of fantasy and horror.
Weird & Supernatural
London, Selwyn & Blount, [1928].
First edition. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 2/-.
A further anthology from the Not at Night series; uncommon in such condition, especially given the fragility of the jackets.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
A Tale of Two Spheres
London, Authors' Co-operative Publishing, 1892.
First edition. 8vo. Original pictorial cloth.
Classic Victorian sci-fi, the story of a young man transported to another planet, where he meets and fall in love with a beautiful woman only to have their relationship threatened by an evil sorcerer. The spheres, Earth is a world of war and poverty, while the other Aethasia is a world of peace and prosperity.
Detective Fiction
Syndey, Angus & Robertson, 1936.
True first edition. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 6/-.
The first in his "Bony" series. The novel tells the story of Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, a half Aboriginal detective from the Northern Territory of Australia, who is sent to investigate the murder of a pilot in the remote Diamantina River district.
Historical Fiction
London, Nash & Grayson, 1930.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A historical novel, set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, and it explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. Plus great dust-jacket.
Detective Fiction
London, Geoffrey Bles, 1934.
First edition. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 2/6.
Classic crime story of murder, mystery and madness, set in a remote house on the coast of England. Scarce.
Detective Fiction
London, John Long, 1939.
First edition. 8vo. Original green boards. Dust-jacket, with publisher's price sticker 7/6.
Extremely uncommon Hubin-listed title, in excellent dust-jacket. Seemingly the only criminous novel by the author.
Modern Literature
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1934.
First edition. 8vo. Original pale blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A collection of nine short stories that explore various moral and ethical dilemmas faced by different characters in different settings and situations, from the author of The Four Feathers and Fire Over England.
Detective Fiction
Leonard (Charles L., pseud. Mary Violet Heberden) The 4th Funeral
London, Museum Press, 1951.
First edition. 8vo. Original black cloth with silver lettering and red skull motif to spine. Dust-jacket, priced 9/6.
When a doctor's wife suspects that her husband's supposed suicide is actually murder, Paul Kilgerrin finds his plans for leaving Belem, Brazil, suddenly cancelled. He also believes that it is murder...
Detective Fiction
London, Hodder & Stoughton, [1922].
First edition. 8vo. Original red cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A Craig Kennedy novel. The mysterious death of Stella Lamar, a famous movie star, who collapses on the set of her latest film, leads to Kennedy and Jameson being called in to investigate the case, immersing them in the world of cinema. Adapted into a movie in 1923.
War, Invasion & Spy
Leonard (Charles L., pseud. Mary Violet Heberden) Sinister Shelter
London, Museum Press, 1951.
First edition. 8vo. Original black cloth with silver lettering and red skull motif to spine. Dust-jacket, priced 9/6.
Intrigue split across the US, Italy and Argentina in this rare spy thriller.
Detective Fiction
London, Hurst & Blackett, [1926].
First edition. Signed presentation copy from the author to a family friend. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
A very good, inscribed first edition of this classic spy story; a mysterious man known as 'X' with a disfigured face who is blackmailing the British government to sabotage the British war effort.
Horror & Gothic
London, Robert Hale, 1963.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original green boards. Dust-jacket, priced 10/6.
First UK edition of this collection of thirteen macabre and often shocking tales, from the author of Psycho.
Detective Fiction
London, Hutchinson, [1936].
First edition. 8vo. Original orange cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 3/6.
Soutar's series character Phineas Spinnet ups the ante in this tale of murder and Egyptology. Jacket scarce in such fine condition.
Detective Fiction
London, Cassell, 1928.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original green cloth lettered in gilt. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 7/6.
The first UK edition of this particular compilation of short stories by Limehouse Nights author Thomas Burke. Set in the bustling streets and alleys of London's East End, the book offers a vivid and often dismal portrayal of life in one of the city's most diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods. Distinctly uncommon in the jacket.