Modern Literature
London, Routledge, 1936.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 10s6d.
Analysis of the socio-political future drawn up during an age of fear and anxiety by the journalist and author Langdon-Davies.
Modern Literature
London, Duckworth, 1913.
First edition, Roberts' second variant with integral title dated. 8vo. Original blue cloth ruled in blind and lettered in gilt.
A lovely first edition of Lawrence's fourth published book. Set in Lawrence's native Nottinghamshire, Sons and Lovers is a highly autobiographical and compelling portrayal of childhood, adolescence and the clash of generations.
Uncategorized
London, Robert Hale, 1951.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 12/6.
...where the fantastic and the possible have their meeting place' (jacket blurb) Cloth spine slightly faded, o/w VG; jacket with minor chipping to corners, but overall VG. Y N Y Weird & Supernatural 2022-02-05 15:52:19 1 ...where the fantastic and the possible have their meeting place' (jacket blurb)
Modern Literature
London, Bodley Head, 1923. First edition. 8vo. 8pp. advertisements. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, without price. Great jacket artwork by Canadian–British illustrator and commercial artist Austin Cooper (not the car).
Weird & Supernatural
London, Eveleigh Nash & Grayson, 1923.
8vo. Original cloth.
A rare imprint of this classic collection of dark & gothic tales by a master of the genre, Sheridan Le Fanu.
Horror & Gothic
London, Tinsley Brothers, 1867.
3 vols. First edition. 8vo. Half-titles all present. Publisher's dark orange blind-tooled cloth, lettered in gilt to spines. Housed in modern morocco-backed cloth solander box.
The best example of this rare, Hubin-listed three decker by Irish author Sheridan Le Fanu that we have ever seen, extremely uncommon in the original cloth and in such condition. The story itself features the Gothic tropes and elements one would expect from the author of Uncle Silas (1864) and In a Glass Darkly (1872), a crumbling family pile, hidden romance, suspicious death, a looming inheritance and dangerous ambition.
Horror & Gothic
A Tale of Bartram-Haugh
London, Richard Bentley, 1865.
First editions, mixed issues: vol.I first issue (with no edition statement); vol.I & II second issues (stating 'second edition'). 3 vol., 8vo. Half-titles, publisher's device to title-pages. Uniformly bound in late 19th century calf-backed cloth, spine compartments within raised bands with gilt tooling, leather spine labels lettered in gilt.
"Uncle Fanu is perhaps Le Fanu's most celebrated work, superior in atmosphere and emotional power. Draped in black, it is a psychological thriller with a highly concentrated small cast." Marshall B. Tymn, Horror Literature. Uncle Silas was Le Fanu's first success in England, derived from an earlier short story he published in an Irish journal which he also edited. It has probably remained his best known novel ever since, reminiscent in style of the more successful literary forays of Wilkie Collins.
The edition was reissued twice by publishers Bentley at the author's request, using the sheets remaining from the first print-run, prior to being published in a one-volume edition. The self-styled 'second edition' is therefore in fact a 'second issue', which was followed by a third issue stating 'third edition'. Save for the addition of the words 'Second Edition' and '[The right of Translation is reserved]' to the title page, it is identical to the initial issue (including the double hyphen in the sub-title). Both Wolff and Topp give the number of the 'second edition' as 500 copies, but Richard Bentley II in the List for 1865 states that the 'second edition' comprised 250 copies, which is corroborated by the apparent split of the sheets between the three issues as recorded by the publishers. The 'second edition' was published in March 1865.
![Ursula K. Le Guin, [Earthsea Trilogy], first editions, 1971-73](https://lycanthiabooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/85623-300x300.jpg)
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Comprising: A Wizard of Earthsea; The Tombs of Atuan; The Farthest Shore
London, Gollancz, 1971-73.
3 vol. First UK editions. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jackets, all correctly priced.
One of the great fantasy fiction series, by the inimitable and prolific Le Guin. The original trilogy, although the author did add to the series with subsequent stories and books, including a work which attempted to bring more focus and heft to female characters. Uncommon in such condition.
Detective Fiction
London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1926.
First edtion, 'file copy'. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 7/6.
"The Alps - an ex-spy - and Edris!"
An uncommon 'twenties title to find in the original jacket, this the publisher's file copy.
Detective Fiction
London, Hurst & Blackett, 1925.
First edition. Clipped autograph inscription from the author laid onto title-page. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.
Note from the author pasted onto title-page, wishing warmest greetings to a friend.
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.
![William Le Queux, The Mystery of Mademoiselle, first UK edition, [1926]](https://lycanthiabooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/84595-300x300.jpg)
Detective Fiction
London, Hodder & Stoughton, [1926].
First UK edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth lettered in black. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 7/6.
A lovely first UK edition of this twenties tale of suspense by Anglo-French author Le Queux.
Detective Fiction
London, The Literary Press, n.d..
First edition thus. 8vo. Original green cloth. Dust-jacket.
What was the secret of Chesterton Square?
Modern Literature
seven addresses given for love of the star
Adyar, Madras, India, Theosophical Publishing House, 1917.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth.
An important work by a key figure in early 20th century spiritualism, and in Theosophy in particular; discoverer of Krishnamurti, no less.
Detective Fiction
New York, Macaulay Company, 1922.
First US edition. 8vo. Original dark chocolate pictorial cloth blocked in orange. Dust-jacket.
A lovely first edition in English of this title featuring Arséne Lupin, Leblanc's famous counterpoint to Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. This the issue with the 'Smoke of the.45' at the top of the lower panel advertisements.
Detective Fiction
London, Jonathan Cape, 1956.
First edition. 8vo. Original green boards. Dust-jacket, correctly priced at 13s.6d.
A very good first edition of this murder mystery, featuring series character Miss Hogg and her faithful chum Milly Brown, and a lost manuscript by Emily Brontë... Austin Lee was a prolific author, also writing under the pseudonyms John Austwick and Julian Callender.
Modern Literature
London, Heinemann, 1960.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original burgundy cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 16s.
A very good example of the distinctive first UK edition of Harper Lee's famous novel.
Modern Literature
London, The Hogarth Press, 1959.
First edition, first issue (with piano factory fire mentioned). 8vo. Original green boards. Dust-jacket.
The first edition of this famously captivating memoir of rural life in a bygone era, as seen through the eyes of a young boy growing up in the idyllic Gloucestershire countryside.
Detective Fiction
Lees (Hannah, pseud. Elizabeth Head Fetter) and Lawrence Bachmann. Death in the Doll’s House
London, John Murray, 1944.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 8/6.
Psychological elements in a murder mystery involving a six-year-old child... basis for the 1950 film Shadow on the Wall.
and the Million Elephants
London, Rich & Cowan, [1936].
First edition. 8vo. Original green cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 12/6.
A fascinating account of a journey through the jungles of Indo-China. The photographic illustrations are by Gertrude Legendre née Sanford, an American woman of rather remarkable qualities: socialite, spy, explorer big game hunters, environmentalist and plantation owner, to name a few. She met Sidney Legendre during an expedition in Abyssinia.
Detective Fiction
London, Rupert Hart-Davis, 1967.
First edition. 8vo. Original purple boards. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
A very good first edition of the first book by Lemarchand, introducing CDI Tom Pollard and his assistant Sergeant Toye of Scotland Yard.
Detective Fiction
First Crime Circle Edition.
London. Thornton Butterworth, 1935
Fabulous stylistic dustjacket art by Bip Pares.
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
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, W.H. Allen, 1983.
First UK edition. 8vo. Original boards. Dust-jacket.
We are kept off balance throughout this icy, understand thriller...brilliant (Newsweek review).
Detective Fiction
London, Readers Library Crime Series, n.d. [c.1930].
Readers Library edition. Small 8vo. Original gilt-tooled burgundy cloth. Dust-jacket.
A really nice copy of this edition of The Floating Prison by Phantom of the Opera author Leroux, first published in English in 1922.
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.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1950.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 9s6d, with publisher's original promotional wraparound.
A great example of the first edition of Lessing's first book, set in South Africa under white rule, chronicling societal disintegration.
Modern Literature
London, Michael Joseph, 1951.
First edition. 8vo. Original brown cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 9s6d.
The first edition of the author's second book, a collection of stories set in South Africa. One of the author's defining works.
Children's Books
Loughborough, Wills & Hepworth, 1948.
First edition. 8vo. Original blue pictorial boards. Dust-jacket, priced 2/6.
Charming first edition of the first of six books recounting the adventures of Wonk the koala, illustrated by the artist & writer Joan Kiddell-Wonk.
Horror & Gothic
A Romance of the most intense Interest
London, John Williams, 1826.
8vo. Handsomely bound in full speckled calf gilt, with gilt dentelles and spine compartments within raised bands, by Wallis.
A sumptuous edition of Lewis' horror classic, possibly issued to coincide with a post war (Peninsular) revival in all things gothic.
Modern Literature
Are They Human?
London, Allen & Unwin, 1939.
First edition. 8vo. Original red boards. Dust-jacket, price-clipped.
Despite the worrying title, actually a defence of the Jewish people at the time of mounting anti-semitism in Europe, the title itself a play on another '30s publication, The English: are they Human by G.J. Renier.
Modern Literature
A Soldier of Humour and other stories
London, Chatto & Windus, 1927.
First edition, Centaur Library issue. 8vo. Original red cloth lettered in black. Dust-jacket, priced 3/6.
The Centaur Library issue of these stories from the vector of vorticism Wyndham Lewis, printed from the first edition sheets but in different binding, and the series jacket design by the graphic artist Edward Bawden (as opposed to the boring typographic one on the first issue).
Weird & Supernatural
London, Herbert Jenkins, 1936.
First edition. 8vo. Original orange cloth blocked in black. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 7/6.
A partly occult novel based on an Abbot's legacy curse dating back to the time of Henry VIII. Rare in the original, first impression dust-jacket.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
London, John Hamilton, 1936.
First edition. 8vo. Original green cloth. Dust-jacket, correctly priced 7/6.
A rare dust-jacket. One of this author's less common and more interesting titles, a Mad Scientist's attempts to block off the sun's rays and cause the end of the world. Produced for Hamilton's Sundial Mystery Library series.
War, Invasion & Spy
London, John Hamilton, [1938].
First edition. 2pp. advertisements for the 'Ace Series'. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, dated 3s.6d.
'In a tiny plane, far above the Sahara, Michael Wright directs the operations of Doctor Oberlin's mighty fleet of bombers as it flies northward to encompass the destruction of Europe.' (jacket blurb)