1912 Ghost Stories of an Antiquary

Description

Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding

The 1912 sixth impression of M. R. James's enormously influential first ghost story collection, first published in 1904.

Known as the originator of the 'antiquarian ghost story genre' with the 1904 publication of this collection, James's works are significant in redefining the ghost story for a new century, abandoning established cliches in favour of a more realistic style.

Illustrated with four plates by James McBryde, a personal friend of James. Together they travelled to Denmark and Sweden, in trips which would inspire James's stories 'Number 13' and 'Count Magnus', both of which feature in this collection. Collated, complete.

Featuring eight tales: 'Canon Alberic's Scrap-Book'; 'Lost Hearts'; 'The Mezzotint'; 'The Ash-Tree'; 'Number 13'; 'Count Magnus'; 'Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad', and 'The Treasure of Abbot Thomas'.

With the illustrated bookplate of Alex Bridge to the front pastedown, and his inscription, dated 21.5.1986 below this. With a further former owner's inscription to the front free endpaper.

Lacking the publisher's advertisements.

An excellent copy of James's first collection, cited as marking 'the beginning of the modern era of supernatural fiction. In the opinion of many the foremost modern writer of supernatural fiction' (Bleiler, p.279).