Renard

1929 · 19847 — New York: E.P. Dutton & Co. Inc. Very Good in Fair dj. 1929. 2nd printing. Hardcover. book is lightly worn with a touch of dust-soiling and faint spotting on the top edge of the text block; the jacket alas is badly compromised due to a large chunk having been torn away from the top left corner of the front panel taking with it about half of the title. "Body horror" novel about the psychological havoc wrought upon a famous pianist when his hands mangled in an accident are surgically replaced by those of a recently-executed murderer. Originally published in France in 1920 the novel was first filmed as a 1924 silent in Austria directed by Robert Wiene of "Caligari" fame; subsequent movie versions acknowledging the source novel were MAD LOVE 1935 starring Colin Clive and Peter Lorre and THE HANDS OF ORLAC 1960 with Mel Ferrer and Christopher Lee. It was also unofficially remade without source attribution as HANDS OF A STRANGER 1962 and is often acknowledged as an inspiration for the 1946 thriller THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS. Rare in the dust jacket this example of which apart from the noted large missing piece is virtually unworn and is a great candidate for professional restoration. Alternatively one could take the much less expensive approach of obtaining a beautiful facsimile of the original jacket from the well-known purveyor of such things; details upon request. . E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc. hardcover books