THE KING IN YELLOW ...
Chicago: Neely, 1895. Small octavo, pp. [1-2] [1-9] 10-316 [317: ad] [318: blank], original pictorial green cloth, front and spine panels stamped in brown, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. First edition. Brief handwritten note signed by Chambers laid in commenting to the recipient that his copy of THE KING IN YELLOW was not a first edition (obviously not this copy). Of the three printings with title pages dated 1895, this one is generally accepted as the first. There is no inserted frontispiece, page [318] is blank, lizard design is on the front cover, and sheets bulk 1.5 cm. The author's second book and first collection of short stories. "One of the most important works of supernatural horror between Edgar Allan Poe and modern horror fiction." - Bleiler (ed), Supernatural Fiction Writers: Fantasy and Horror, p. 739. "Surprisingly vital stories, undoubtedly the best work that Chambers did. A landmark book in abandoning the ghosts of Victorian literary tradition and concentrating on the nightmare." - Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 364. "... one of the basic documents in the history of fantastic fiction." - Bleiler, Science-Fiction: The Early Years 396. [Reference: Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 364. Survey of Modern Fantasy Literature II, pp. 844-47. Barron (ed), Horror Literature 2-12. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, Additions. Tymn (ed), Horror Literature 3-49]. Several abrasions to front free end paper where accompanying letter was original affixed, small thin brown stain to front paste down, corners soft, small rub mark with several small spots to upper rear cover, a fine copy. Enclosed in a custom box. (28555). Item #28555
Price: $4,500.00