THE FOX-WOMAN.
Philadelphia & London: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1900. Octavo, pp. [1-6] 7-308, frontispiece with illustration by Virginia H. Davisson, title page printed in red and black, original pictorial white cloth, front and spine panels stamped in red and purple, rear panel stamped in red (binding signed "H"), t.e.g., other edges untrimmed. First edition. Inscribed and signed on front free end paper by Long. Exotic romance of Americans in Japan; the title character is a beautiful but heartless femme fatale associated with the Fox Woman legend referred to as the "vampire-girl" - in short, the flame-haired variant of the vamp. No transformations; but Japanese victim succumbs to atavism under her fascination, has "a lust for warm and flowing blood," biting his prey. An evil dwarf features prominently in the story. Part sensational romance, part serious study of cultural conflicts, art vs. life, and the nature and destiny of souls. The author is best known for his short story "Madame Butterfly," dramatized in collaboration with David Belasco, later made into the famous opera by Puccini. [Reference: Not in Bleiler (1948; 1978). Not in Reginald (1978). Wright (III) 3388]. Some soiling a rubbing to the spine, soiling and rubbing with stain mark to rear cover, a very good copy. Rare. (23955). Item #23955
Price: $750.00