718 résultats
1871319958Edinburgh: Printed by Neill and Company 1871. First edition one of about 50 copies. With five figures in text. 7 1 blank pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Self-wrappers near fine. Blue cloth slipcase with chemise. First edition one of about 50 copies. With five figures in text. 7 1 blank pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Presentation Copy. One of the earliest publications of Robert Louis Stevenson 1850-94 who grew up in a family of lighthouse engineers. Beginning in 1867 Stevenson studied civil engineering at the University of Edinburgh and spent three summers in an apprentice ship at his father's lighthouse projects. In the spring of 1871 Stevenson presented his paper and was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts. "The essay showed the accumulated knowledge of three obedient years" Bathurst but it marked an end to his enginnering studies. Stevenson then studied law and passed the first examination for the Scottish bar in 1872. He cared for nothing but literature and dedicated himself to his literary apprenticeship with far more zeal than he found for engineering. <br/><br/>Inscribed at the head of the title "With the author's compliments"<br/><br/>Prideaux notes "A few copies - probably not exceeding 50 - were pulled separately from the types of the Transactions with the pagination altered and a title-page added". This would have been at Stevenson's request. Preceded only by juvenilia The Pentland Rising 1866 and The Charity Bazaar 1868. OCLC records a dozen locations for this title with only a handful of presentation copies among them. Prideaux II 3; McKay Beinecke 8 Printed by Neill and Company unknown books
188610257London: Longmans Green & Co 1886. First Edition/First State. Original Wraps. Very Good textblock Fine. Light even toning/soiling to the wrappers publication date corrected 1886 else tight bright and unmarred. Original printed wrappers red ink text black ink text and decorative elements advert at rear. 12mo. 141pp. Early catalogue clipping laid in. <br/><br/>One of the unspecified number of copies which had the date hand-corrected in ink by the publisher from 1885 to 1886. Initially scheduled to be released for Christmas 1885 it was delayed until 1886 due to the glut of new work being released for the holidays. <br />"If Bram Stoker's Dracula leaves one with the sensation of having been struck down by a massive 400-page wall of horror then Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is like the sudden mortal jab of an ice pick." Stephen King. Longmans, Green & Co paperback books
1887WRCLIT64220London: Chatto & Windus 1887. Small octavo. Original polished brick-red buckram t.e.g. others untrimmed. From the collection of Arthur H. Houghton with his book label on front pastedown. Cloth evidently treated at an early date with some sort of shellac-like fixative a bit faded and worn with offsetting to endsheets and short crack at toe of front inner hinge otherwise a good sound copy. Second edition regular English issue. Presentation copy inscribed by the author on the half-title: "To my mother Robert Louis Stevenson." According to the Chatto and Windus stock book 1000 copies of this edition were printed. The first edition appeared in 1881. Margaret Isabella Balfour Stevenson 1829-1897 or "Maggie" as she was known to her family married Thomas Stevenson in 1848 and gave birth to RLS in 1850. She had a strong and loving relationship with her son. Although quarrels between RLS and his father about religion his career and his marriage were upsetting to the family the family remained close. After her husband died in 1887 Maggie went with RLS and Fanny on their travels to America and the South Seas and even settled with them in Vailima. She returned to Edinburgh to live with her sister after RLS died. BEINECKE 74. Chatto & Windus hardcover books
1886140940949New York: Charles Scribner's Sons 1886. First Edition. Fine. First American edition first printing; precedes the London edition by four days. Bound in publisher's greenish-gray cloth stamped in gilt top edge gilt. Fine with trivial touches of wear to cloth name erased from top of title page pages lightly toned. A fantastic copy of the of Stevenson's Gothic horror classic centering around the interplay between one man's unpredictable duality of character--outwardly good but sometimes shockingly evil. Charles Scribner's Sons unknown books
1886117203London: Longmans Green & Co 1886. First English edition of Stevenson's classic book. Octavo original cloth olive green floral endpapers. In near fine condition. Armorial bookplate to the pastedown. "If Bram Stoker's Dracula leaves one with the sensation of having been struck down by a massive 400-page wall of horror then Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is like the sudden mortal jab of an ice pick" Stephen King. Leaping to life out of a "fine bogey dream" from which the author's wife abruptly awakened him Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde proved "immediately and lastingly Stevenson's most famous story" Baugh et al. 1499. "Published as a 'shilling shocker' a form at that time in fashion it became instantly popular; was quoted from a thousand pulpits; was translated into German French and Danish; and the names of its two chief characters have passed into the common stock of proverbial allusion" DNB. "It is a Faustian moral fable which takes the form of a tale of mystery and horror. It is the prototype of all stories of multiple personality transformation and possession. The psychological power of the writing including Jekyll's agonies is patent" Clute & Nicholls 1165. "When we thrill to the shock and horror of the story I think it is because we all at least to some degree have been torn by Jekyll's internal conflict. When we recoil in terror from the selfish savagery of Mr. Hyde I think it is because we fear our own secret selves" Jack Williamson. It is the basis for many adaptations to the screen most notably in 1931 starring Fredric March and in 1941 featuring Spencer Tracy Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner. Longmans, Green & Co hardcover books
188612816This classic novel which apparently came to the author in a dream was originally meant to be published for Christmas of 1885; however since there was a glut of books on the market at that time the publishers decided to hold the release date until 1886.<br />This is one of an unspecified number of copies to have had the date changed in ink by the publisher from 1885 to 1886 the numeral 5 into the numeral 6.<br />The ownership signature is that of the famed Richard Garnett noted British poet editor and librarian. Longsman, Green & Co. hardcover books
1886229372<p>First English edition first issue. Thin octavo. One page of publisher's advertisements at beginning and 2 pages at end. Front wrapper printed in red and blue with publication date altered from 1885 to 1886 as issued. Original beige wrappers bound in. 3/4 gilt stamped red morocco over red cloth spine with raised bands and gilt stamped floral device within a gilt ruled compartment covers ruled in gilt marbled endpapers t.e.g. Fine. No signatures or bookplates.</p> Longmans, Green, and Co. hardcover books
1886110275London: Longman Green and Co 1886. First edition first issue with the publication date on the upper wrapper altered by hand of Stevenson's classic book. Octavo original wrappers advertisements. In very good condition. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell and chemise box. First editions in the original wrappers are rare. "If Bram Stoker's Dracula leaves one with the sensation of having been struck down by a massive 400-page wall of horror then Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is like the sudden mortal jab of an ice pick" Stephen King. Leaping to life out of a "fine bogey dream" from which the author's wife abruptly awakened him Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde proved "immediately and lastingly Stevenson's most famous story" Baugh et al. 1499. "Published as a 'shilling shocker' a form at that time in fashion it became instantly popular; was quoted from a thousand pulpits; was translated into German French and Danish; and the names of its two chief characters have passed into the common stock of proverbial allusion" DNB. "It is a Faustian moral fable which takes the form of a tale of mystery and horror. It is the prototype of all stories of multiple personality transformation and possession. The psychological power of the writing including Jekyll's agonies is patent" Clute & Nicholls 1165. "When we thrill to the shock and horror of the story I think it is because we all at least to some degree have been torn by Jekyll's internal conflict. When we recoil in terror from the selfish savagery of Mr. Hyde I think it is because we fear our own secret selves" Jack Williamson. It is the basis for many adaptations to the screen most notably in 1931 starring Fredric March and in 1941 featuring Spencer Tracy Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner. Longman, Green, and Co unknown books
1883145541883. London Paris & New York: Cassell & Company 1883. 4 pp ads dated July 1883. Original forest green cloth. First Edition earliest date of ads of this classic. In late 1881 Stevenson wrote this tale titled THE SEA COOK merely as an amusement for his 12-year-old stepson. It was accepted for serial publication pseudonymously by "Captain George North" in Young Folks magazine the editor of which recommended the change of title to TREASURE ISLAND -- which Stevenson had used as the name of the island but not of the book. W.E. Henley at Cassell's then negotiated the book publication: Stevenson initially received 100 pounds "a sight more than TREASURE ISLAND is worth" he told Henley. The first edition consisted of 2000 copies which were issued in four binding orders between 14 November and 11 December 1883. Some copies have ads curiously dated July 1883 while the majority has ads more properly dated October or December 1883. This copy does have the earliest July ads -- though it does not necessarily follow that these were the first bound up. In this copy the "8" is missing from the p. 83 pagination and the "7" is boldly printed in the p. 127 pagination both defects are related to type slippage during the 2000-copy printing; there seems to be no correlation between these defects and the ad dates or the cloth colors. Some dealers persist in citing "dead man's chest" and a few other misspellings as issue points -- which they are not since every first edition copy has them. This copy is in forest green cloth we have also had red blue terra-cotta and sage green -- no priority. The volume is in very good condition neatly though unnecessarily re-backed -- one cannot see but can feel something extraneous under the spine cloth; the original black-coated endpapers were retained with thin slivers of matching paper at the two gutters. As always with this book the volume is slightly askew; there are a few light scratches and there is minor rubbing at the extremities but this is highly-acceptable copy of a book increasingly difficult to find in desirable condition. Beinecke Yale 240; Princeton 22. unknown books
1886107326London: Longman Green and Co 1886. First edition first issue with the publication date on the upper wrapper altered by hand of Stevenson's classic book. Octavo original wrappers advertisements. In very good condition without the usual restoration seen on most examples. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. First editions in the original wrappers are rare. "If Bram Stoker's Dracula leaves one with the sensation of having been struck down by a massive 400-page wall of horror then Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is like the sudden mortal jab of an ice pick" Stephen King. Leaping to life out of a "fine bogey dream" from which the author's wife abruptly awakened him Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde proved "immediately and lastingly Stevenson's most famous story" Baugh et al. 1499. "Published as a 'shilling shocker' a form at that time in fashion it became instantly popular; was quoted from a thousand pulpits; was translated into German French and Danish; and the names of its two chief characters have passed into the common stock of proverbial allusion" DNB. "It is a Faustian moral fable which takes the form of a tale of mystery and horror. It is the prototype of all stories of multiple personality transformation and possession. The psychological power of the writing including Jekyll's agonies is patent" Clute & Nicholls 1165. "When we thrill to the shock and horror of the story I think it is because we all at least to some degree have been torn by Jekyll's internal conflict. When we recoil in terror from the selfish savagery of Mr. Hyde I think it is because we fear our own secret selves" Jack Williamson. It is the basis for many adaptations to the screen most notably in 1931 starring Fredric March and in 1941 featuring Spencer Tracy Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner. Longman, Green, and Co unknown books
1890319960Sydney: Privately printed 1890. First edition issued according to Edmund Gosse in an edition of 25 copies. At head of title: With Mr. R. L. Stevenson's Compliments. 32 pp. With holograph corrections on pp. 7 13 and 20. 1 vols. 8vo. Original stapled self wrappers. Ink initials at head of title L. v. F. Old folds short tear and paper flaw to last leaf with small stain in margin some toning and wear to foot of spine fold. Very good. Blue cloth chemise and slipcase. First edition issued according to Edmund Gosse in an edition of 25 copies. At head of title: With Mr. R. L. Stevenson's Compliments. 32 pp. With holograph corrections on pp. 7 13 and 20. 1 vols. 8vo. The Rare Sydney Printing. Father Damien Damien de Veuster 1840-1889 was a Belgian missionary from Belgium who worked at the leper settlement at Molokai from 1873; he eventually contracted leprosy and died of it in 1889.<br/>Stevenson's polemic was written in response to a letter from Rev. C.M. Hyde of Honolulu published in The Presbyterian newspaper on 26 October 1889 critical of Father Damien's work with the lepers and accusing him of immorality and of being "dirty" and "coarse". <br/>With acerbic wit Stevenson attacks Hyde's narrow-minded thinking and the hypocrisy of his privileged position and tells of his own visit to Damien's grave and "conversations with those who knew him well and long". <br/>Stevenson quips "if that world at all remember you on the day when Damien of Molokai shall be named Saint it will be in virtue of one work: your letter to the Reverend H. B. Gage." St. Damien of Molokai was canonized in 2009.<br/>Attractive copy of a scarce Stevenson work in its original Sydney printing with holograph corrections to the text. Prideaux 31; McKay Beinecke 506 [Privately printed] unknown books
1887D17059New York: Charles Scribner's Sons 1887. First American Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. 8vo; original red cloth. Inscribed by Stevenson to neurologist S. Weir Mitchell. PRESENTATION COPY OF AN EARLY WORK.Dr. S. Weir Mitchell with the grateful good wishes of Robert Louis Stevenson. Both Stevenson and Mitchell had deep feelings about their Scottish ancestry. Fleeming Jenkin a Scottish engineer was one of the most important figures in RLSs life Stevenson studied engineering before turning to law and then dedicating himself full-time to his writing. The author consulted with Mitchell at this time when he was experiencing depression exacerbated by an insane father a hysterical mother a neurotic wife and a feckless fainéant stepson see Frank McLynn Robert Louis Stevenson: A Biography. Yale has a letter from RLS to Mitchell from this year. <br/><br/> Charles Scribner's Sons hardcover books
1883125712London: Cassell & Company 1883. First edition with the following <span class="glossaryQtip qTip">points</span>: "dead man's chest" on p.2 and p.7 not capitalised; "rain" for "vain" in last line p.40; "a" not presen p.63 line 6; "7" is missing from pagination on p.127; full-stop is missing after "opportunity" p.178 line 20; "worse" for "worst" p.197 line 3. Octavo original blue cloth map frontispiece. In very good condition with light rubbing. Housed in a custom clamshell box. Inspired by a detailed map of an island that Stevenson and his stepson drew one rainy day with hidden treasure and cryptic instructions reverently included. Treasure Island is best enjoyed as its author intended simply as a good tale well told" Silvey 631. The serial publication in Young Folks running through January 1882 was not especially well-received but on its appearance in book form the following year in an edition of only 2000 copies the story was hailed as the best tale of adventure in print. "The force of invention and vividness of narrative appealed to every reader" DNB. Cassell & Company hardcover books
189425015Edinburgh: Printed by T. and A. Constable for Longmans Green and Company 1894. Edinburgh edition of the Works of Robert Louis Stevenson often considered the finest edition of Stevenson due to the paper quality used. Octavo complete set 34 volumes bound in full contemporary morocco gilt titles to the spine top edges gilt gilt turn-ins. In fine condition. An exceptional set. "Few writers have during their lifetime commanded so much admiration and regard from their fellow-craftsmen Energy of vision goes hand in hand with magic of presentment and both words and things acquire new meaning and a new vitality under his touch" DNB. Printed by T. and A. Constable for Longmans, Green and Company unknown books
18831906020Cassell 1883. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. A very good first printing with all first issue points present. Housed in a custom-made collector's case. Cassell hardcover books
189712063JNew York: Charles Scribner’s Sons 1897. First Edition preceding the English edition. Laid in is a one page Autograph Letter Signed by the author Robert Louis Stevenson to S.S. McClure publisher of McClure’s Magazine which serialized Stevenson’s novel St. Ives prior to book publication. Written from Valima in Samoa on September 7 1894 just weeks before Stevenson’s death on December 3rd. “.Pursuant to a note from Bunter I have the pleasure to send you an epitome of St. Ives. Without doubt it was a task! And I fear it will not increase the interest of any human being but you must be judge of that and employ it accordingly or not as your better wisdom shall suggest. The Magazine seems to me to go on swimmingly. Please remember me to your wife and the twins. Ever yours R.L. Stevenson.†At the time of his death Stevenson had left St. Ives unfinished and Arthur Quiller-Couch wrote the last few chapters to complete the work using Stevenson’s notes and the outline he had sent to McClure. Near fine bright copy in original cloth with one of Stevenson’s very last letters and a remarkably historic one showing that his efforts did indeed prove of great interest allowing one of his most interesting works to be completed. Charles Scribner’s Sons hardcover books
18831908006Cassell &Co 1883. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. A very good first printing with all first issue points present. Housed in a custom-made fold-out case. Comes with a letter by the bookseller Francis Edwards from London to his client dated December 16th 1924 in which he states that this is a first edition. Cassell &Co; hardcover books
189013313JLondon: Chatto & Windus 1890. First Edition - English. Historic presentation copy inscribed and signed by the author Robert Louis Stevenson to his stepdaughter Isobel Osbourne Strong. Inscribed on the half-title: “Belle from R.L.S. Sydney Feb 17th 1891.†Original gilt-stamped blue cloth. Endpapers have some darkening else a fine copy. The book is a remarkable collection of his ballads of the fanciful and weird set in both the South Seas and in Scotland ending with the moving “Christmas At Sea.†This presentation copy carries with it a very significant background for the book was presented at the decisive moment in the relationship of R.L.S. and his stepdaughter. Stevenson had traveled alone to Sydney Australia in February 1891 in large part to persuade Belle to give up her desire to remain in Australia and provide for herself and her son through some employment prospects. Stevenson however counted them as his family and she recalled that he “talked with such kindness such understanding that every last bit of resentment I held toward him melted away and I felt myself to be truly his loving daughter.†Indeed Isobel Strong would live in Stevenson’s island home Vailima in Samoa becoming his amanuensis biographical adjunct and lifelong she passed away in 1953 at age ninety-five keeper of the flame. It is not a stretch that this very copy is the literary commemoration of that relationship changing occasion. Enclosed in a handsome gilt-stamped blue morocco and cloth slipcase. Chatto & Windus hardcover books
